Influence of Seeding Rates on Seed yield, Oil Content, Oil Yield and other Yield Attributes of four Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L), Varieties in Horo Guduru District, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Seed rate is one of the agronomic factors that decreases seed yield by subjecting plants to lodging and competition. The field experiment was conducted in 2019/20, and 2020/2GC main cropping seasons on Harato and Gitilo sites to determine the effect of seeding rates on seed yield and oil percentages and to evaluate the interaction effect of varieties and seed rates on seed yields, oil percentages, and yield attributes. The experiment consisted of four linseed varieties (Belay, Berene, Kuma, and local) and five seed rates (20, 25, 30, 20 35, and 40 kg ha⁻¹). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The results revealed that seed yield, oil percentage, oil yield, capsules per plant, thousand seed weight, dry biomass, and straw yield of linseed were significantly (p < 0.01) influenced by the main effect of seed rates and varieties. While seed yield, oil percentage, and oil yield had significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the interaction of varieties by seed rate. Maximum seed yield was obtained from improved varieties of Kuma (1819 kg ha⁻¹) at 35 kg ha^{− 1}, but the lowest seed yield recorded from improved varieties and local cultivar at 20 kg ha⁻¹. The highest oil percentage (41.38%) was recorded on Kuma variety at the seed rate of 20 kg ha⁻¹, but the lowest oil percentage (35.15% and 35.96%) had obtained from local cultivar at 35 and 40 kg ha⁻¹. Therefore, the findings suggested that Kuma variety of linseed was the highest yielder at 35 kg ha-! seed rates, while the oil percentage of the varieties decline as seed rate increased. Thus sowing Kuma variety at 35 kg ha_! seed rates can be recommended at the study area and similar agro ecology.

Keywords:

• genotypes
• linseed
• plant density
• quality parameters
• yield attributes

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Linseed is cultivated mainly for cash crops as well as for human consumption. It is high in oil percentage (33–42%) and (75–91%) unsaturated fatty acid composition, especially the seed oil plentiful by Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid. In addition, the crop has many health benefits in terms of preventing various diseases like antioxidants, gastric, high blood pressure, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. However, the productivity of linseed at study site lower than other areas due to inappropriate seed rate, blanket fertilizer application, untimely sowing date, lack of technology, weeds problems, and soil acidity. Many of these agronomic factors limit the seed yield and oil percentage of linseed crops due to competition effects, poor management activity, and occurrences of unpredicted weather conditions. Linseed production increased with proper management like timely sowing date, optimum seed rates, fertilizers, and using improved seed. However, optimum rates and times not only maximize yield and oil percentage by exploiting resources optimally but also increase the profitability of farmers by reducing seed costs.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Wollega University for financing the research work and give me such an opportunity to presume my study. Moreover, am grateful to Halota Agriculture Research Center for supporting laboratory equipment and chemicals. Am also appreciated the Department of plant science staff, research coordinators, and Shambu campus farm manager for supporting the experimental site’s field preparation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Geo location information

The experiment conducted in 2019/20 and 2020/21 years, at Harato and Gitilo sites. Harato site found in Jima Geneti district at an altitude of 2300 masl: latitude 9 22’ 00 “ and Longitude 37 07’ 00”. Gitilo site found in Gitilo dale village of Horo district at an altitude of 2723 masl. Both sites located in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia. Both districts have three agro-ecological classifications: high land area, mid-altitude, and low land. The major crops cultivated in the study areas like cereals, pulse, and high land oil crops like Niger seed, linseed, and rape seed.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Wollega University and Ethiopia Ministry of Education.

Notes on contributors

Alemu Beyene

Alemu Beyene is a Ph.D. student at Haramaya University in the College of Agriculture Department of Plant Science. Ten years ago he completed his MSc in Agronomy from Haramaya University. He is a Wollega University research staff member at the College of Agriculture, Department of Plant Sciences Shambu Campus, Ethiopia. His research interest areas are increasing field crops production integrated crop management such as optimum plant density, numbers of tillage, cropping system, and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer, soil acidity, and weed management.