The effect of sowing date and plant density on yield and yield components of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum gracum L.)

In order to understand the effects of sowing dates and plant density on fenugreek (Trigonella foenum gracum L.), an experiment was conducted at Torbat-e-Jam region in 2005. Four sowing dates (28 February, 19 March, 9 April and 29 April) and four plant densities (10, 20, 30 and 40 plants/m2) were compared in a split plot design based on randomized complete blocks with 4 replications. Sowing date had significant effects on seed yield and its components. The earliest and the latest sowing dates had the greatest and the lowest seed yield, respectively (88.34 and 22.3 g/m2). Also, these treatments had the greatest and the lowest 1000 seed weight (12.0 and 9.9 g) and pod number per plant (25.8 and 6.8). Harvest index was the lowest in the latest sowing date (29 April), because flowering and seed formation happened contemporary with high temperature. In addition, delay in sowing time reduced plant height, significantly. Plant density had significant effect on seed yield. Seed yield was the highest at 40 plants/m2. There was no significant interaction on different characters.