Evaluation of Quality Properties of Lentil Cultivars (Lens culinaris L.) in Different Sowing Dates Under Rainfed Condition

The effect of different sowing dates on quantity and quality properties of three lentil cultivars under rainfed condition, was studied by split plot experiment based o randomized complete block design in Karaj during growing seasons of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. Sowing dates in three times, including 6 November, 5 January and 15 March (as spring sowing and control) of both years were the levels of main plot, and three lentil cultivar, including Bilesavar, Kimya and Seymereh were subplot. Results showed that the effect of year on lentil experimental properties was not significant, but the all of the evaluated traits, grain per plant, 1000 seed weight, biological yield, grain yield, number and weight of root nod and protein percentage and yield were affected by sowing dates significantly, except the winter survival percentage. The highest rates of biological, grain and protein yield (3821, 132. 6 and 37.9 g.m-2, respectively) and the lowest one (253.6, 73.2 and 24.8 g.m-2, respectively) was achieved at the first sowing date (6 November) and the last sowing date one (15 March), respectively. The last sowing date in comparison to the first sowing date showed almost 33 and 44 percent decreases in biological and grain yield, respectively. Maximum number of grain per plant, 1000 seed weight, nod number, and nod weight was obtained at the first sowing date that these values were significantly more than other sowing dates. As the results showed that cultivars had significant effects on grain and protein yields. The highest grain and protein yield was recorded at Bilesavar cultivar. Totally, by considering these findings, autumn sowing and Bilesavar cultivar were highly beneficial in lentil yield and component yield.