Evaluation of possible autumn planting of lentil in Saravan condition

Long season and high temperature during spring in hot and dry areas has led to tendency for autumn planting. A field experiment was done in 2010 at the Agricultural Faculty and Natural Resources of Saravan Research Field in order to evaluation of possible autumn planting of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) on yield and yield component. Experimental design was done as split plots based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots and subplots included three planting date's times (1 Nov., 18 Nov. and 2 Dec.), and five lentil genotypes (MLC 122, MLC 177, MLC 39, MLC 352, MLC 20) respectively. Results showed that the effect of planting date on all measured parameters (grain yield, plant height, pod number per plant, grain number per plant, two-grain pods, empty pods, 1000-grain weight, biological and economical yield and harvest index) was significant. The highest amount of grain yield was related to first planting date (1 Nov.), and dry matter production and grain yield decreased with delaying of planting date because the grain filling stage was synchronized with higher temperature of final stages of growing season. The effect of genotype on all measured parameters, also significant (p≤ 5) and the MLC39 genotype had higher grain yield (34.11 g.m-2). The best correlation of grain yield was observed with number of seed per plant (r= 0.59**), biological yield (r= 0.81**) and number of two-grain pod per plant (r= 0.63**). The interaction effect of planting date and genotype was significant and the highest grain yield (with average 59 g.m-2) was obtained at first planting date (1Nov.) and MLC3 genotype. The lowest yield was related to MLC20 genotype (8 g.m-2) at second planting date (18 Nov.) and there was no yield for third planting date (2 Dec.). Altogether the results of this study showed that early planting of superior genotypes during autumn cause to increase lentil yield in Saravan climate.