Evaluation of Yield and Yield Components of Some Lentil Genotypes to Different Planting Dates

In order to find the best genotype and planting date of lentil (lens culinaris Medik.), the field experiment was conducted in Research farm of Agricultural faculty, Zabol University, in 2005-2006. The experiment was carried out in a split plot based on a randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replications, three planting dates (16 November, 6 and 26 December) as main plots and five genotypes, including (Zabol local lentil, Ziba, Gazvin local lentil, Lines 494 and 4605) as subplots. The result showed that grain yield, grain number per plant, pod number per plant, biological yield and harvest index were affected by planting dates. In comparison the hundred grain weight, branch number per plant, and plant height were not affected significantly. The values of all measured traits in first planting date were higher than the others, but by sowing delay, all measured traits showed a reducing trend. A high significant variation was observed in morphological traits among genotypes. The interactions of genotype with planting date on grain number per pad, pod number per plant and biological yield were significant. There was a significant negative correlation between hundred grain weight with other traits but not with biological yield. A higher correlation observed also was between pod number and grain number per plant and, between grain yield and biological yield. The lowest correlation was observed between hundred grain weight and biological yield. Zabol local lentil had the highest value for all traits in all planting dates, except for hundred grain weights, in comparison to other genotypes. So, it is recommended for growing in that region.