Response of linola (Linum usitatissimum L.) to different spacings under rainfed conditions

Abstract

An experiment was conducted according to randomized complete design to determine best plant spacing and agronomic traits at research farm PMAS Arid Agriculture University Research Farm Chakwal Road, Rawalpindi, during 2008-2009. Three plant spacing’s (5, 10, 15 cm) and three row spacing’s (10, 20, 30 cm) comprised of the following treatment combinations (T1= 5×10 cm, T2= 5×20 cm, T3= 5×30 cm, T4= 10×10 cm, T5= 10×20 cm, T6= 10×30 cm, T7= 15×10 cm, T8= 15×20 cm, T9=15×30 cm) under rain-fed conditions. The net plot size was 2×6 m with three replications. Days to emergence, plant height at maturity, number of branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seed per capsule, 1000- seed weight, seed capsule ratio, seed yield per plot, biological yield, harvest index, oil concentration and fresh weight of weeds was observed. All agronomic attributes were significantly effected at 15×30 cm spacing, along with oil concentration and fresh weight of weeds, while 10×10 cm row to row and plant to plant spacing had no significant effect. Plant height (cm), number of capsules per plant was maximum for plant geometry of 15×30 cm and lesser amount of weeds. An increase in row and plant spacing led to significantly higher of branching. Higher plant and row spacing resulted in non- consistent increase in the number of seeds per capsule. Seed yield increased with higher row to row and plant to plant spacings. Yield were lower at the narrow (10×10 cm) row and plant spacing’s, compared to higher of 15×30 cm spacing. Thus, it is concluded from this study that Linola should be grown at 300-450 cm grids for higher yield output.