Effect of different planting depths on the emergence and growth of lentil

The most important principles of crops, the depth and the optimum planting date for optimum use of water resources and radiation, therefore the aim of this study was to determine the proper planting depth and date on lentil (cultivar Kimia). The experiment was conducted with two factors; planting date (first November and first December) as the main factor, and 15 planting depth (from sowing the surface (zero) to 14 cm as a subplot, with three replications in a split-plot of randomized complete block design. It was done in Gonbad Kavous University Greenhouse outdoor in 2014-2015- Iran. Traits such as D05, D10, D50, D90, D95, EU, R50, emergence rate, emergence percentage, seed vigor, number of primary branches, leaf area, and seedling dry weight were measured. By increasing the depth of planting, all traits except D05, D10, D50, D90, and D95 decreased significantly. Decrease of characteristics was lower in the first planting date in comparison with the second planting date. The highest emergence rate (2.16 seedlings per day), emergence percentage (92.59 percent), seed vigor (145.2), number of branches (2.80), seedling dry weight (237.8 mg seedling) and leaf area (26.44 cm2 per seedling) were obtained from two centimeters depth in first planting. The results can be concluded that the optimum planting date for achieving the most growth of lentil in Gonbad Kavous of the climatic region, was the first planting date (November); and planting depth 2–7 cm.