EFFECT OF PLANTING TIME AND MAGNESIUM ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF JUTE SEED

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at the field laboratory of the Department of Agronomy, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Dinajpur, from May 2006 to July 2007 to investigate the effect of planting time and magnesium (Mg) on the yield and quality of jute seed (cv.0-9897). The experiment consisted of five planting dates viz., 15 May, 15 June, 15 July, 15 August and 15 September and three magnesium doses viz., 0 kg ha’, 10 kg ha’ and 20 kg ha’. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replication. The planting time had significant effect on plant height, branches plant’, developed pods plant’, seeds pod’, 1000 seed weight and seed yield. Planting on 15 August gave highest seed yield that was statistically similar to 15 July planting. Seed quality parameter like germination percentage and seed vigour index was affected by planting time. The highest germination percentage and seed vigour index were obtained from 15 August planted crop but the lowest on 15 September planted crop. The magnesium had a significant effect on plant height, branches plant’, pod plant’, seeds pod” and seed yield but there were no significant effect on non-developed pods plant ‘and 1000 seed weight. The tallest plant, branches plant’', pods plant™', seeds pod’! and seed yield found from 10 kg Mg ha’'. Seed quality parameters were also affected by different doses of Mg. Among them, the highest germination percentage and seed vigour index was obtained from 10 kg Mg ha’. The interaction between planting time and magnesium had significant effect on the yield and quality of jute seed. The optimum planting time of jute seed (O-9897) was 15 July — 15 August with application of magnesium @ 10 kg ha’ to get maximum yield and quality under Dinajpur conditions.