THE INFLUENCE OF SEEDING DATE AND SEEDING RATE ON SEED YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF FIVE GENOTYPES OF Brassica napus

Abstract

The effects of seeding date and seeding rate on the agronomic characteristics of five genotypes of Brassica napus L. were studied for 2 yr at two locations in western Canada. Delayed seeding resulted in a significant increase in vegetative and total yield but a significant decrease in seed yield, harvest index, plant density, racemes per plant and racemes per unit area. Seeding date had no significant effect on seed yield per plant, 1000-seed weight and plant height. Increased seeding rate resulted in a significant increase in plant density, and racemes per unit area, but a significant decrease in harvest index, racemes per plant, seed yield per plant and plant height. Seeding rate had no significant effect on seed, vegetative or total yield and 1000-seed weight. There were significant differences due to genotypes for all variables except for total yield and racemes per unit area.