RESPONSE OF GROWTH AND YIELD OF RAPESEED TO SOWING METHOD AND SEEDING RATE

An experiment was conducted at Krdarasha/College of Agriculture-Erbil to evaluate the effect of sowing method and seeding rates on growth, and seed yield of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Pactol cv.. Randomized complete block design with in sphtplot, with three replications, were used. Two seeding methods of) drill-row and broadcasting(ranking as the main plots, five seeding rates:) 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 kg ha(-1) (to subplots. The results showed that drill-row sowing method produced seed and oil yields (1091.9 and 343.62 kg ha(-1)) more than broadcasting method, particularly, at low seeding rates i.e. 4 kg ha (-1) seeding rate (1344. 0 and 398.34). Seeds grown by drill-row produced the highest number of plants m(-2), whilc the highest plants height and took the longest period for flowering and seed setting; and produced a greater number of siliques plant(-1) (130.0) and greater weight of seed (0.17 mg) and then, higher seeds and oil yields (1091.9 and 341.46 kg ha(-1)). Seeds grown at higher seeding rates gave the highst number of plants m(-2) and highst silique surface area, with longest period for seed setting, the highest plants height with higher number of primary branches, higher harvest index and oil percentage. However, seeds grown at low seeding rates, the period from sowing to flowering and flowering period were the longest. At 4 kg ha(-1) seeding rate produced higher number of siliques plant(-1) (140), greater weight of seed (0.18 mg) and higher seeds and oil yields (1037.3 and 311.09 kg ha(-1)). It could be concluded that a drill-row sowing method and 4 kg ha(-1) seeding rate produced the highest seed and oil yields of rapeseed cv. Pactol in Erbil/Kurdistan Region.