The influence of planting time on development and yield of various cultivars of medicinal flax

In order to determine the optimum planting date for different medicinal flax cultivars, a split plot experiment with completely randomized block design with 12 treatments was conducted in experimental farm of Yasooj Islamic Azad University. The treatments were replicated 3 times. The treatments were composed of four different combinations of planting dates ((Feb. 20, Mar. 6, Mar. 21, and Apr. 4) and 3 flax cultivars (Somaco, India, and Foster). The measured traits were plant height, 1000-kernel weight, harvest index, grain yield (with 12% MC), Dry Matter, Leaf Area Index (LAI), Crop Growth Rate (CGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), and Net Photosynthesis Rate (NFR). The result showed that the planting date has a significant effect on all the measured traits. The first and second planting dates resulted in the highest production (1230 and 1170kg/ha) and the lowest production (600kg/ha) was obtained by the fourth date, respectively. The maximum and minimum yields were obtained by Somaco and Foster cultivars, respectively. The maximum 1000-kernel weight (5.853g) was obtained in the first planting date, and the Somaco cultivar by itself produced the highest 1000-kernel weight (6.162g).

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