The Effect of Planting Methods and Seed Rates on Yield of Canola in Saline Soil

Soil salinity is a serious problem in south Khouzestan province. This study was conducted in Shawoor Agricultural Research Station, north of the city of Ahwaz, on silty-clay soil with 8 dSm-1 salinity during 2006 and 2007. A completely randomized block design arranged in split plots with three replications was used. The plots (planting methods) were: broadcasting + disk harrow (P1), broadcasting + disk harrow + corrugate (P2), seed drilling (P3), seed drilling + corrugate (P4), two rows on the ridge (P5) and three rows on the ridge (P6). Subplots were seed rates of 6, 9, 12 and 15 kg/ha. The results showed significant differences (P≤0.01) between planting methods for fuel consumption, total operation time and field capacity. The lowest fuel consumption with 5.02 lit/ha obtained from P3 and followed by P5 with 6 lit/ha. The highest field capacity (1.7 ha/h) was obtained from P5, an increase of 63%, 156%, 5%, 104% and 8% over P1, P2, P3, P4 and P6, respectively. The lowest total operation time (0.58 h/ha) was obtained from P5, a reduction of 38%, 60%, 13%, 150% and 6% over P1, P2, P3, P4 and P6, respectively. Significant differences were found between planting methods for grain yield, percent of germination, number of plants per m2 and number of packsacks per plant. However, number of seeds per packsack and 1,000 kernel weights were not significant. Differences between seed rates for grain yield, number of plants per m2 and number of seeds per packsack were significant. Duration of germination, percent germinated number of packsacks per plant and 1,000 kernel weights were not significant. Maximum grain yield (2134 kg/ha), percent germinated (86%), number of plants per m2 (99), number of packsacks per plant (78) and number of seeds per packsack (23) were obtained from P5. The results suggest that, for canola Hayola 401 hybrid crops in the slightly saline soil of Khouzestan, treatment P5 (two rows 30 cm apart on the ridge and 60 cm from each other) with a seed rate of 9-12 kg/ha is the best applicable treatment.