Effects of Sowing Time and Different Nitrogen Levels on Quantitative and Qualitative Charecteristics of Oil Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

In order to investigate the effects of sowing time and different nitrogen levels on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of oil flax, an experiment was performed in split plot in form of randomized complete block design, in four replications during 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 cropping seasons in Yasuj Agricultural Research Station. Five sowing times as the main plots were 4,6,8,10,12 on the basis of planting depth temperature, and four fertilizer levels as subplots were 0, 50, 100 and 150 kgha-1 pure N from urea source that 50% was used at the time of sowing and 50% as top-dressing. The results of combined analysis of data indicated that with delay in sowing decreased plant height, number of branches, number of fruits, grain yield, 1000 seed weight, leaf area index, dry matter, crop growth rate and oil percentage significantly. The use of 100kgha-1 pure N significantly increased plant height, number of branches, number of fruits, grain yield, leaf area index, dry matter and crop growth rate. The first sowing time with 1801.12 kgha-1 had the highest and the fifth sowing time with 760.48 kgha-1 the lowest seed yield. The highest and lowest seed yield in 100kgha-1 pure nitrogen treatment were 1895.22 and 1351.87 kgha-1, respectively. The highest oil yield (34.6%) obtained in the first sowing time. The first sowing time with 52.38% produced the highest and the fifth sowing time with 50.58% produced the lowest acid linolenic. Sowing time had no significant effect on acid oleic and acid linoleic. The highest acid linolenic 52.64% and acid linoleic 15.36% were obtained by the use of 150kgha-1 pure nitrigen and the most acid oleic 20.59% were obtained in the treatment without use of nitrogen.