RESPONSE OF CANOLA (BRASSICA NAPUS L.) CULTIVARS TO SOWING DATE AND ROW SPACING

The effect of sowing date (SD) and row spacing (RS) on canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars was studied in a field experiment conducted for two years (2000-2002). The experiment was a randomized complete block design arranged in a split plot factorial, conducted at Agicultural Research Station of Gonbad, Iran. Four SDs (21 Oct., 6 Nov., 21 Nov. and 6 Dec.) were as main plots, and two cultivars namely Sarigol and Hyola401 and two RSs of 24 and 36-cm were designated as subplots in a factorial arrangement. Results showed that SDs and cultivars had a significant effect on days from sowing to flowering and to physiological maturity, flowering period and plant height. RS revealed no significant effect on plant height. SD and RS had a highly significant effect on pod number per plant. With a delay in SD, seeds per pod increased. SD had highly significant effect on 1000-seed weight, but it did not show any particular trend. The results showed that SY of canola in the area, can be increased with good agronomic management such as optimum SD and RS.