Effects of sowing rate on morphological and yield-related traits in camelina: Determination of optimal sowing date

Proper timing in planning for sowing dates and optimization of plant density are crucial for maximizing camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) yields with great potential for enhancing food security and animal feed. This study aimed to evaluate how planting time and density affect camelina seed yield in southern Iran. A two-year field study was performed at Shiraz University, School of Agriculture, Iran, to examine five different sowing dates (10 November, 10 December, 10 January, 10 February, and 10 March) and eight sowing densities (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 kg ha-1). The results demonstrated significant impacts of sowing date and density on seed yield. This study showed that 10 January and 10 February were optimal sowing dates (687.9 ± 30 and 731.3 ± 40 kg ha-1, respectively), and the highest seed yield was obtained at a sowing density of 6 kg ha-1 (686.4 ± 30 kg ha-1). Plant height was influenced by the sowing date, while seed yield and yield components were affected by both the sowing date and density. This research highlights the importance of selecting optimal sowing dates and densities to maximize camelina yield in Fars Province, Iran. Further studies are necessary to investigate how these factors affect different camelina varieties in various regions of Iran, ultimately leading to the development of tailored cultivation practices for optimal yield and sustainability in camelina production.