Effect of sowing date on seed yield and physiological indices changes of flax (Linum usitatisimum L.)

Subject Areas : Journal of Plant Ecophysiology

M. Badwi ¹ , M. Mahmoodi Soorestani ²

1 - گروه باغبانی، دانشگاه شهید چمران، اهواز، ایران
2 - گروه باغبانی، دانشگاه شهید چمران، اهواز، ایران

Received: 2015-09-26 Accepted : 2015-09-26 Published : 2015-09-01

Keywords: Sowing date, Flax, physiological indices, growth degree day,

Abstract :

In order to investigate the effects of sowing date on yield, yield components and oil yield of flax (Linum usitatissimum), an experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz, Iran during 2012- 2013. Sowing dates were 5 December, 25 December, 14 January and 3 February.  The results showed that all traits decreased with delay in cultivation. The highest plant height (79.33 cm), number of main branches in plant (3.33), number of capsule in plant (33.66), number of seed in each capsule (8.96), 1000 seed weight (5.30 g), seed yield (1349.67 kg. ha-1), harvest index (37.33), oil percent (37%) and oil yield (497.77 kg. ha-1) obtained in first sowing date. The growth analysis showed that leaf area index, total dry mater, relative growth rate (RGR) and crop growth rate (CGR) declined delaying in cultivation. Generally, cultivation of falx is recommended on 5 December under Ahvaz condition.