The Effect of Nitrogen Levels and Plant Density on Grain and Oil Yield of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in Ahwaz, South-west of Iran

Among soil and agronomic factors affecting growth, nutrition and plant density have a great effect on the growth and yield of crops such as Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). In order to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen and plant density on yield and yield components, oil percentage and yield of Flax, a split plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replicates at the Research Farm of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Iran in 2016-2017. Experimental factors included different levels of nitrogen (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg/ha) in main plots and four plant densities (50, 100, 150 and 200 plants/m2) in sub plots. Analysis of variance showed that nitrogen, plant density and their interaction effect was significant on all measured traits. The highest grain and oil yields were obtained in 150 kg/ha nitrogen level and the density of 200 plants/m2. The mean comparison of interaction effect showed that the highest grain yield (1348 kg/ha) and oil yield (349 kg/ha) were achieved in 150 kg/ha nitrogen level and the density of 200 plants/m2. The lowest grain yield (570 kg/ha) and oil yields (188 kg/ha) were observed in 0 kg/ha nitrogen level and the density of 150 plants/m2.