The effects of different sowing dates and plant density on qualitative and quantitative of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.)

In order to study the effects of different sowing dates and different plant densities on some growth traits of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), a field experiment was done at Agricultural College of Shahid Chamran University at 2016. Experimental design was split plot on RCBD with three replications. Main plot was sowing dates in 3 levels (11Nov, 28 Nov and 11 Dec) and sub plot was different plant densities at three levels included: (30, 40 and 50 plant/m2). The result showed that sowing date, plant densities and interactions had significant effect on most studies traits. The highest plant height (86.08 cm), leaf area (0.124 m2), umbel number/plant (6.2), subumble/plant (150.21), grain yield (678.29 kg/ha), essential oil yield (13.64 kg/ha), and harvest index (10.5%) were obtained at 28 Nov sowing date and the highest biological yield (6812 kg/ha) were observed at 11 Nov. sowing late caused to decreased all traits except 1000 seeds weight, whereas the highest 1000 seeds weight (1.23 gr) was obtained at 11 Dec. Overall, the highest grain yield (859.87 kg/ha) and essential oil yield (19.91 kg/ha) were obtained at 28 Nov and 40 plant/m2 and the lowest grain.