Modulating the phenology and yield of camelina sativa L. by varying sowing dates under water deficit stress conditions

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) an oilseed crop has emerged as a potential source for biofuels and bio-products. Camelina is an economic crop due to its less requirements of agronomic inputs as compared to other oilseed crops. However, it is direly required to evaluate the adaptability of camelina and characterize its production potential. Therefore, a pot experiment was carried out in rain out shelter at the Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to optimize appropriate sowing date with respect to growth and yield potential of different genotypes of camelina under drought stress. Completely randomized design with factorial arrangements was adopted. Three sowing dates with the difference of 10 days (November 13 th, 23rd and December 03rd), two water regimes (100% FC and 60% FC) and two camlena genotypes (611 and 618) were used in this experiment. Results indicated that camelina growth and yield related traits were significantly influenced by difference in sowing dates and water regimes. Maximum leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area duration (LAD), net assimilation rate (NAR) and yield related traits were recorded with early sowing (13th November) which was followed by sowing on 23rd November and least values of these variables were recorded in late sowing (December 03rd). Plants grown under water deficit conditions (60% FC) showed the decreased values of LAI, CGR, LAD, NAR and yield related attributes as compared to normally irrigated plants (100% FC). However, the response of genotypes of camelina 611 and 618 remained statistically similar to each other.