Oil content, seed yield and morphological changes of canola cultivars in response to different sowing dates

Sowing date affects different plant growth stages, however, information on optimum sowing date for successful production of canola is limited. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of canola cultivars to different sowing dates. Sowing dates included 2, 12 and 22 October, and cultivars were included 11 cultivars (Okapi, Opera, Zarfam, Talaye, SW102, L72, L14, HL3721, Wpn-6, L155 and HL2012). The highest oil percentage was recorded in the first sowing date in L72 (41.093%) followed by L155 and Zarfam. Delaying in sowing date until October 22 reduced 33.59% of seed yield in each year in comparison with the first sowing date. The decline in seed weight due to delayed sowing resulted in significant seed yield reduction in 2014–15 (7.69%) and in 2015–16 (14.8%). Generally, it seems L72, Zarfam and L155 canola cultivars are suggestible in first sowing date due to the best agronomic traits.