Research Article

Impact of Row Spacing on the Growth and Yield Parameters of Lentil (Lens culinaris L) under Semi-arid Region of Pakistan

Mohammad Mohsin Faqeer1, Muhammad Aquil Siddiqui2*, Nighat Seema Soomro1, Shameem Raja3, Muhammad Tahir Khan2, Ghulam Shah Nizamani2, Fareen Deeba Soomro4 and Muhammad Mahran Aslam2

1Department of Agronomy, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, Pakistan; 2Nuclear Institute of agriculture, Tando Jam, Pakistan; 3Department of Botany, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 4Department of Zoology University of Sindh Jamshoro, Papkistan.

Received | July 23, 2020; Accepted | October 08, 2020; Published | December 31, 2020

*Correspondence | Muhammad Aquil Siddiqui, Nuclear Institute of agriculture, Tando Jam, Pakistan; Email: siddiqui_aquil@yahoo.com

Citation | Faqeer, M.M., M.A. Siddiqui, N.S. Soomro, S. Raja, M.T. Khan, G.S. Nizamani, F.D. Soomro and M.M. Aslam. 2020. Impact of row spacing on the growth and yield parameters of lentil (Lens culinaris L) under semi-arid region of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 33(4): 945-950.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjar/2020/33.4.945.950

Keywords | Row spacing’s, Yield, Yield components, Lentil varieties, Masoor

Introduction

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) is important pulse crop which is mainly cultivated rainfed as well as irrigated areas of Pakistan. Lentil is the second leading legume crop grown in Pakistan and sown as Rabi season (Ayub et al., 2001). The lentil production was 6.4 thousand tons with 523 kg ha-1 yield during 2018-19 (FAO, 2019). Pulses are regarded as ‘’the poor man’s meat’’ due to the fact none the less pulses are the cheapest source of protein (Akter and Fahmida 2016). The available lentil germplasm has not been evaluated for yield and yield related traits (Nourin et al., 2019).

The proper row spacing can make certain appropriate growth of the above ground and underground parts of the plant through well-organized use of solar radiation, nutrients, water, land as well as air spaces and row spacing for sowing is recommended to maintain the required number of plant populations and to undertake intercultural operations for harvesting a superior yield (Ouji et al., 2016). Yield of lentil can be increased with sowing time and proper row spacing (Singh et al., 2009). Researchers indicated that the seed yield of lentil planted with narrow row spacing of 30 cm produced maximum seed yield than the wider row spacing’s of 70 cm (Khan et al., 2001) The acceptance of better techniques with planting time, row spacing and higher yielding varieties may improve seed yield production in lentil. On the other hand, the plants unable to use resource efficiently when grown low and scatteredly planted which ultimately produced low yield. The present experiment designed to determine the appropriate row spacing to maintain plant population and economic yield under semi-arid region.

 

Materials and Methods

Field trial was conducted at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tando Jam, Pakistan to assess impact of row spacing on the growth and yield on lentil varieties. The field trial was conducted with randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated three times and plot size was 5 m x 5 m = (25m-2). No fertilizer or pesticide was applied considering the soil and plant health. Mean monthly rainfall received during the crop season in each of the three years was 15, 50 and 58 mm, respectively. Three lentil varieties viz. M-85, NIA, Masoor-2005, and NIA, Masoor-2016 were planted with row spacing’s of 15, 30, and 45 cm and observations were recorded as germination, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches plant-1, pods plant-1, seeds plant-1, 1000 seed weight (g) and seed yield (kg ha-1). The seed was sown with single hand manual drill, and all the necessary practices were done from sowing up to harvest as the requirement of the experiment. At the time of harvesting, ten plants randomly were selected, sun-dried and threshed for yield data and agronomic traits.

Statistical analysis

The experimental data were analyzed as analysis of variance (ANOVA) using MSTATC computer software. Means were compared using a least significant difference (LSD) test at the 5% level of probability (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).

 

Results and Discussion

Germination (%)

The maximum germination was observed at 30 cm row spacing (95.22 and 92.67 %) in varieties NIA, Masoor-2016 and NIA, Masoor-2005, while lowest germination (87.54 %) was noted in variety M-85. The results of varieties and row spacing indicated maximum germination was observed (97.02 %) at 30 cm row spacing followed by (95.85 %) at row spacing of 45 cm in NIA, Masoor-2016 and lowest germination (84.69 and 87.78 %) were observed at row spacing at 15 and 45 cm in M-85. Jamali et al. (2002), stated similar trend of observations were reported earlier lentil cultivars. Lentil cultivars also showed maximum germination at 30 cm followed by 45 cm while the declines in germination percentage at 15 cm or 70 cm (Table 1).

 

Table 1: Germination (%) of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	84.69 e	90.17 cd	87.76 de	87.54 b
NIA-Masoor-2005	91.41 b-d	94.87 a-c	91.70 b-d	92.67 a
NIA-Masoor-2016	92.81 a-c	97.02 a	95.85 ab	95.22 a
Mean	89.64 b	94.02 a	91.77 ab
Varieties SE (1.2940) (LSD (5%) (2.7432), Row spacing’s SE (1.2940) (LSD (5%) (2.7432), V x RS SE (2.2413) (LSD (5%) (4.7514)

 

Days to maturity (days)

Table 2 indicated an early day to maturity (91.62 days) were reported in variety NIA, Masoor-2016, followed by (93.46 days) in variety M-85 while late days to maturity (96.71 days) were observed in variety NIA, Masoor-2016. The results of row spacing indicated that an early day to maturity was recorded (90.74 days) with 15 cm row spacing’s and late days to maturity were obtained (96.19 days) under the row spacing’s of 45 cm. Results of varieties and row spacing indicated an early days to maturity were observed (88.94 days) in variety NIA, Masoor-2016 under row spacing’s of 15 cm, followed by (90.52 days) in variety M-85 under row spacing’s of 15 and late days to maturity (100.75 days) were recorded in NIA, Masoor-2005 under row spacing’s of 45 cm. Saxena (2009) indicated similar results were of lentil for days to maturity was affected by different spacing’s and planting dates.

Plant height (cm)

The maximum plant height was obtained (36.94 cm) in variety NIA, Masoor-2016, followed by (34.22 cm) in variety NIA, Masoor-2005 and minimum plant height was achieved (31.72 cm) was recorded in variety M-85 (Table 3). Results of row spacing’s indicated that the best plant height was achieved (38.61 and 35.60 cm) by row spacing of 30 cm, and minimum plant height (28.67 cm) observed under the row spacing’s of 15 cm. The varieties and row spacing showed maximum plant height was obtained at par (41.17 and 39.72 cm) in varieties NIA, Masoor-2016 in row spacing’s of 30 and 45 cm, followed by (38.58 cm) in variety NIA, Masoor-2005 with row spacing of 30 cm and minimum plant height was recorded (26.39 cm) in NIA, Masoor-2005 variety under row spacing of 15 cm. The similar result under row spacing had positive influence on plant height and seed yield (Singh et al., 2003).

 

Table 2: Days to maturity (days) of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	90.52 d	92.57 cd	97.30 ab	93.46 b
NIA-Masoor-2005	92.76 cd	96.64 a-c	100.75 a	96.71 a
NIA-Masoor-2016	88.94 d	95.41 bc	90.53 d	91.62 b
Mean	90.74 b	94.87 a	96.19 a
Varieties SE (1.1317) LSD (5%) (2.3992), Row spacing’s SE (1.1317) LSD (5%) (2.3992), V x RS SE (1.9602) (LSD (5%) (4.1555)

 

Table 3: Plant height (cm) of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	26.69 f	36.07 c	32.39 d	31.72 c
NIA-Masoor-2005	29.39 e	38.58 b	34.69 cd	34.22 b
NIA-Masoor-2016	29.94 e	41.17 a	39.72 ab	36.94 a
Mean	28.67 c	38.61 a	35.60 b
Varieties SE (0.6683 LSD (5%) (1.1467), Row spacing’s (0.6683 LSD (5%) (1.1467), V x RS SE (1.1575) LSD (5%) (2.4538)

 

Number of branches per plant

The highest number of branches per plant were obtained (5.94) in variety NIA, Masoor-2016, followed by (4.92) in variety NIA, Masoor-2005 and lowest number of branches per plant-1 were obtained (4.19) in variety M-85. Results of row spacing showed that number branches per plant were obtained (6.31) having 30 cm row spacing, followed by (5.34) with row spacing of 45 cm and lowest numbers of branches per plant (3.40) was observed under row spacing of 15 cm. The interaction of varieties and row spacing indicated that greatest number of branches per plant were recorded (7.53) in variety NIA, Masoor-2016 at 30 cm row spacing, followed by (6.26) in NIA, Masoor-2016 at 45 cm and lowest number of branches per plant was recorded (2.72) in M-85at 15 cm row spacing respectively (Table 4). Kalita et al. (2005) reported the similar trend in lentil cultivar that maximum branches per plant were achieved at 30 cm row spacing.

 

Table 4: Number of branches plant-1 of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	2.72 g	5.31 c	4.54 d	4.19 c
NIA-Masoor-2005	3.45 f	6.11 b	5.21 c	4.92 b
NIA-Masoor-2016	4.03 e	7.53 a	6.26 b	5.94 a
Mean	3.40 c	6.31 a	5.34 b
Varieties SE (0.1319) LSD (5%) (0.2795), Row spacing’s SE (0.1319) LSD (5%) (0.2795), V x RS SE (0.2284) LSD (5%) (0.4842)

 

Number of pods per plant

The maximum pods per plant were obtained (49.15) in NIA, Masoor-2016, followed by (44.20) in NIA, Masoor-2005, and minimum pods per plant were recorded (37.63) in M-85. The row spacing results indicated that highest pods per plant were observed (47.38) at 30 cm followed by (44.97) at 45 cm and lowest pods per plant (38.63) at 15 cm row spacing. The maximum pods per plant were recorded (54.93 and 50.27) in NIA, Masoor-2016 at row 30 followed by (45.96) in NIA, Masoor-2005 at 45 cm and lowest per pods plant were recorded (35.39) in M-85 at 15 cm (Table 5). Seyyed et al. (2014) and Habib et al. (2006) reported that pods per plant was recorded at 30 cm row spacing which directly increased seed yield of lentil.

 

Table 5: Number of pods plant-1 of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	35.39 f	38.30 e	39.19 e	37.63 c
NIA-Masoor-2005	38.23 e	48.92 b	45.46 c	44.20 b
NIA-Masoor-2016	42.27 d	54.93 a	50.27 b	49.15 a
Mean	38.63 c	47.38 a	44.97 b
Varieties SE (0.4714) LSD (5%) (0.9993), Row spacing’s SE (0.4714) LSD (5%) (0.9993), V x RS SE (0.8165) LSD (5%) (1.7309)

 

Number of seeds per plant

The greatest seeds per plant was recorded (2.46 and 2.40) in NIA, Masoor-2016 and NIA, Masoor-2005 while the lowest seeds per plant were recorded (1.57) in M-85. Row spacing results indicated that the maximum number of seeds per plant were observed (2.32) at 30 cm followed by (2.17) at 45 cm and lowest seeds per plant were recorded (2.00) at 15 cm row spacing (Table 6). Wells (1993) reported the similar results in our experiment which showed that plant spacing influenced yield and yield components on lentil.

 

Table 6: Number of seeds plant-1 of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	1.19 f	1.58 e	1.95 d	1.57 b
NIA-Masoor-2005	2.46 a-c	2.65 ab	2.28 cd	2.46 a
NIA-Masoor-2016	2.35 bc	2.75 a	2.29 b-d	2.40 a
Mean	2.00 b	2.32 a	2.17 ab
Varieties SE (0.0992) LSD (5%) (0.2103), Row spacing’s SE (0.0992) LSD (5%) (0.2103), V x RS SE (1.0459) LSD (5%) (2.2172)

 

Seed index (g)

The maximum seed index was obtained in NIA, Masoor-2016 (56.07 g) followed by NIA, Masoor-2005 (48.08 g) while minimum seed index were recorded in M-85(43.32 g). The row spacing results indicated that highest seeds index (53.44 g) were achieved at 30 cm followed by (49.16) at 45 cm and lowest seed index (44.87 g) were recorded at 15 cm row spacing (Table 7). Stoilova and Pereira (1999) conducted the similar experiment and reported that weight of 1000 seeds was affected considerably under seeding densities, row spacing and seed yield.

 

Table 7: Seed index (g) of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	41.75 d	46.87 c	41.34 d	43.32 c
NIA-Masoor-2005	42.47 d	53.36 b	48.41 c	48.08 b
NIA-Masoor-2016	50.39 bc	60.09 a	57.72 a	56.07 a
Mean	44.87 c	53.44 a	49.16 b
Varieties SE (1.0459) LSD (5%) (2.2172), Row spacing’s SE (1.0459) LSD (5%) (2.2172), V x RS SE (1.8115) LSD (5%) (3.8402)

 

Seed yield (kg ha-1)

The greatest seed yield were obtained in NIA, Masoor-2016 (1766.1 kg ha-1) followed by in NIA, Masoor-2005 (1206.1 kg ha-1) and lowest seed yield was obtained was recorded in M-85 (1088.3 kg ha-1). Results of row spacing showed highest seed yield was obtained (1346.1, 1357.7, and 1356.7 kg ha-1) under 15, 30, and 45 cm row spacing’s. Observations of varieties and row spacing’s indicated that greatest seed yield was recorded (1754.8, 1863.6 and 1679.9 kg ha-1) in NIA, Masoor-2016 under 15, 30, 45 cm row spacing, followed by (1298.0 kg ha-1) in NIA, Masoor-2005 at 45 cm row spacing and lowest seed yield (1026.8 kg ha-1) were obtained in M-85 at 15 cm row spacing (Table 8). Singh et al. (2009) stated that seed yield increased up 10.4 % with 30 cm spacing’s and 1 % more seed yield with (20 cm) row spacing’s. Parveen and Bhuiya (2010) said that row spacing’s is the main factor and an important part in growth and seed yield of lentil. Among factors for low yield with usual sowing methods and proper row spacing are very important in crops. The increased advanced cultural practices by using certified seed with improved varieties, optimum seed rate, sowing time, proper irrigation, fertilizers balance, and effectiveness proper row spacing’s may be helpful to achieve seed yield and yield components (Nizamani et al., 2014).

 

Table 8: Seed yield (kg ha-1) of lentil varieties as affected by different row spacing’s.

Varieties	Row spacing’s (cm)			Mean
	15	30	45
M-85	1026.8 c	1145.9 c	1092.1 c	1088.3 b
NIA-Masoor-2005	1256.6 bc	1063.6 c	1298.0 bc	1206.1 b
NIA-Masoor-2016	1754.8 ab	1863.6 a	1679.9 ab	1766.1 a
Mean	1346.1 a	1357.7 a	1356.7 a
Varieties SE (140.41) LSD (5%) (297.65), Row spacing’s SE (140.41) LSD (5%) (297.65), V x RS SE (243.19) LSD (5%) (515.55)

 

Conclusions and Recommendations

It is concluded that variety NIA, Masoor-2016 and NIA, Masoor-2005 both varieties shows high yield potential under the row spacing’s of 30 cm, it was proved the best performance as compared to other varieties under 30 cm row.

 

Acknowledgement

The writing of research article supported/partially and supported to conduct the experiment in this institute and help the write up. We are thankful to our colleagues who provided expertise greatly.

 

Novelty Statement

The current study conducted to determine the optimal lines spacing for enhancing the production in Pakistan. The recommended line spacing was 30cm to harvest maximum lentil yield the province of Sindh.

 

Author’s Contribution

MMF conducted the study. MAS and NSS conceived the idea, and supervised the experiment. SR and MTK improved the manuscript through revisions and provide technical inputs. FDS helped in collecting the agronomic data of the crop. GSN provided technical inputs, proofread the work. MMA conducted statistical analysis of the data & supervised the manuscript writing process.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

 

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