Effect of Sowing Date on Seed Yield, Yield Components and Some Agronomic Characteristics in Rapeseed Genotypes in Moghan Region

To study the effect of sowing date on some agronomic characteristics, seed yield and its components of rapeseed genotypes an experiment was conducted in Moghan Agricultural Research Center in 2005-2007 cropping seasons. A split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The main plot included date of sowing (22 Sep., 06 Oct., 21 Oct. and 05 Nov.) and five rapeseed genotypes (Hayola401, Y3000, RGS003, Sarigol and Zarfam) ware assigned in the sub-plots. Combined analysis of variance for two years, showed that agronomic characteristics, seed yield and yield components were significantly affected by sowing dates. The highest seed yield obtained in third sowing date (2984 kg/h). There was significant differences between genotypes for agronomic characteristics, seed yield and its components. Y3000 had the lowest and Zarfam had the highest number of days from emergence to flowering and physiological maturity. Zarfam produced the highest number of pods per plant and Hyola401 produced the highest number of seeds per pod. The sowing date×genotype interaction for seed yield was significant at the 5% probability level. Third sowing date (21 Oct.) and Hyola401 hybrid with seed yield of 3820 Kgha-1 produced the highest seed yield.