Optimum Planting Date and Seed Amount of Spring Rapeseed in Saline and Marginal Lands around Urmia lake

The present research was done in order to determine the optimum planting date, seed amount and to evaluate the grain and oil yields of spring rapeseed in saline and marginal areas around Urmia lake.

The RGS003 genotype was used for cultivation. The experiment was conducted as split plot based on a RCBD design in three replications with two factors including sowing date (30 March and 9 and 19 April) and seed amount (4, 6, 8 and 10 Kg seeds per hectare). The study was carried out in East Azarbaijan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (Khosrow Shah Station) during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons.

The results indicated that the green field cover percent, Leaf chlorophyll index, plant height, pods per plant, 1000 seeds weight, grain oil percent and grain and oil yields were decreased significantly by delaying planting date from March 30 to April 19. Also this delay led to a significant decrease in grain and oil yields at all seed amounts. The highest amounts of grain and oil yields achieved from March 30 planting time and 6 Kg seeds per hectare. Correlations among the green field cover percent, Leaf chlorophyll in mid flowering stage with grain and oil yields were significantly positive. These indices had an important role in yield determining.

It is concluded that 30 March planting date and 6 Kg.ha-1 seeds amount can be suggested for spring rapeseed cultivation in saline and marginal areas around Urmia Lake and lands with similar climate.