Effect of vermicompost applied at different sowing dates on yield and yield components in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

The 98% of the red lentils produced in Turkey are grown in the Southeastern Anatolia. Since lentil is one of the leading crops in the region, it is necessary to determine appropriate sowing time and give the nutritients required by plant for high product quality and grain yield. This study was carried out to study the effects of vermicompost on yield and yield components depending on different sowing times. Five sowing times (15 October, 1 November, 15 November, 1 December, 15 December) and 5 vermicompost doses (Control, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 kg/da) were used as factors in the study. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with 3 replications. Phenological parameters such as emergence time, flowering time, pod setting time and maturity time varied between 11.0-25.3, 130.7-181.7, 149.7-210.0 and 162.3-226.0, respectively. Plant number per square meter, plant height, first pod height, number of primary branches and secondary branches changed between 165.3-265.3, 35.8-57.1 cm plant-1, 17.8-27.9 cm plant-1, 1.87-3.40 plant-1, 2.7-4.9 plant-1, respectively. Number of pod per plant, number of seed per plant, number of seed per pod, biological yield, seed yield, 1000-seed weight and harvest index varied between 20.77-54.53, 26.0-82.5, 1.13-1.51, 395.7-916.1 kg/da, 92.2-252.7 kg/da, 32.5-38.0 g, 11.1-32.7%, respectively. According to the results, the most suitable sowing date for winter lentil was determined as December 1st in Siirt and similar ecological conditions. Weed problem and lodging issues were observed in too early sowings. In addition, the risk of disease and pest damage increases in earlier sowing. However, it was seen decrease in plant growth and seed yield in later sowing then December 1st. Also, it was determined that 250 and 500 kg/da vermicompost applications had positive effects on seed yield and yield components. The highest seed yield (252.6 kg/da) was achieved from 250 kg/da vermicompost applied in December 1st. However, if vermicompost is applied higher than 750 kg/da, it has negative effect on phenological parameters, plant growth and yield components.