Study of Phenology, Seed Yield and Its Components of Canola (Brassica napus L.) in Different Sowing Dates in Khuzistan Province of Iran

This study was carried out to evaluate phenology, yield and yield components of canola cv. Hyloa 401. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete blocks design with four replications and five sowing dates from 22 October to 30 November with 10 days intervals in 2006-07 and 2007-08 cropping seasons in Khuzistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Ahwaz, Iran. Results showed that sowing date had significant effect on all traits, but interaction effect of year × sowing date had no significant effect on sowing to emergence duration, seed per-1 pod and thousands seed weight. The shortest sowing to emergence duration, the longest sowing to flowering and maturity duration the tallest plant height, the highest pod no. plant-1, seed no. pod-1, thousands seed weight, seed and oil yields were produced in 22 October sowing date. Based on regression equations, each day delay in sowing date caused about 1% reduction in seed and oil yields. Therefore, the delay in sowing date reduced vegetative and reproductive stage duration and caused instability in seed yield. In conclusion, 22 October to 31 October could be considered as optimum sowing date, however, 31 October to 10 November with 20% reduction in seed and oil yield production could also be recommended as the alternative sowing date in Khuzistan Province conditions.