Effect of Drought Stress and Plant Density on Oil Percentage, Oil and Grain Yield of Dragon’s Head (Lallemantia Iberica Fish. et Mey.)

A split-plot experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with four replication at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iran in 2012 to evaluate the effect of different irrigation treatments and plant density on grain oil percentage, yield and grain yield of Dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica Fish. et Mey.). Irrigation treatments (I1, I2, I3, I4 and I5: irrigation after 70, 100, 130, 160 and 190 mm evaporation from class A pan, respectively) were assigned to main plots and four plant density levels (D1, D2, D3 and D4: 200, 300, 400, 500 plant/m2) were allocated to the sub plots. Different planting densities were employed by changing planting distances on cultivation rows. Oil percentage increased with decrease in irrigation frequency, but grain yield decreased with drought severity. Oil percentage showed no response to planting density. Highest grain oil yield was achieved on I2 treatment. Highest grain yield was achieved under I1 treatment, but difference between I1 and I2 treatments was not significant. The greatest oil and grain yield was obtained from 400 plant/m2. According to the results obtained, irrigation after 100 mm evaporation from class A pan and density of 400 plant/m2 is the best combination for Dragon’s head oil and grain production.