Performance of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) under different levels and times of application of chlormequat, a growth retardant in the gangetic plains of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted to study the performance of linseed (Linum usitatissium L.) under different levels and times of application of chlormequat, a growth retardant in the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. The treatments comprised of 3 levels of chlormequat (50, 100 and 200 ppm) and 3 different times of application (45, 60 and 45 + 60 DAS) replicated thrice in a randomlsed block design. The canopy height (51.7 cm), shoot dry matter accumulation (102.9 g m⁻²) and leaf area index (1.82) with 200 ppm chloromequat applied twice at 45 + 60 DAS were reduced significantly over control (59.3 cm, 115.5 g m⁻² and 2.82, respectively). This treatment increased the number of capsule plant⁻¹ by 34.3% over control. Respective seed yield (kg ha⁻¹) and net returns (Rs. ha⁻¹) with application of 200 ppm chlormequat applied at 45 + 60 DAS (640 and 9172) at 60 DAS (570 and 7885) and at 45 DAS (528 and 6582) were much higher than that of 50 ppm of chlormequat at different times (402 to 435 and 3253 to 4101).