Effect of sowing season and seeding density on grain yield in lentil (Local var. Robat) under dryland conditions of Nothern Khorasan

In order to determine optimum seed density and sowing time of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in Northern Khorasan, this study was conducted in Shirvan field experiment station in Northern Khorasan in 2002-2004 growing seasons. There were four seed density levels: 50, 100, 200 and 400 seed/m2, and two sowing seasons: Winter (Entezary) and spring, arranged in a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications. During growing season, agronomic traits such as flowering date, plant height and physiological maturity date were recorded. After harvesting, 100 grain-weight and grain yield were measured and recorded. Results of combined analysis of variance indicated that there was significant differences between the grain yield of the crop in spring and winter (entezary) seasons. The highest grain yield belonged to 200 seed per m2 in Entezary sowing time (812 Kg/ha), that was a significantly different in comparison to the other treatments. These results recommend that in dryland conditions of Northern Khorasan lentil are to be grown as Entezary crop with 200 seed per m2.