The effect of irrigation levels and planting date on some morpho-physiological characteristics, vegetative biomass and grain yield of savory (Satureja hortensis L.)

In order to determine the effect of irrigation levels and planting date on savory, an experiment was conducted in Birjand in 2016-2017 as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Irrigation levels (100, 75, 50 and 25% evaporation) and planting dates (March 16, April 11 and May 15) were as the main plots and sub plots, respectively. The results showed that reducing the amount of irrigation water to 50% of evaporation from the pan, did not have any significant effect on the most studied traits, but in the treatment of 25% of evaporation from the pan, number of lateral branches, grain yield, biomass yield and harvest index decreased compared to 100% evaporation treatment from the pan. Planting dates in March and April were not significantly different in terms of the most studied traits, but delay in planting to May 15, reduced plant height, number of lateral branches, remobilization rate, remobilization efficiency and grain and biomass yield. The highest CGR was related to the treatment 75% evaporation and planting dates of April 21 and May 15. The highest dry weight of seed branches was related to treatment 100% evaporation and March 16. On the other hand, the highest remobilization contribution in grain yield was related to the treatment 25% evaporation from the pan and planting dates April 11. Totally, aimed to save water, irrigation levels of 50% evaporation from the pan at five-day irrigation intervals and planting on April 11 is recommended.