Abstract

In order to determine the appropriate planting density and effect of supplemental irrigation on yield and yield components of peas (Pisum sativum L.), a field study was conducted at the experimental farm at the Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University in 2010. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot based on a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The main plot consisted of supplemental irrigation (Rain fed (control), irrigation at flowering, poding and flowering + poding stages), and sub plot was including densities (30, 50, 70 and 90 plants m^-2). The results showed that the effects of supplemental irrigation and density on the green pods yield and biological yield, and the interaction of supplemental irrigation and density with the green pods yield and biological yield were significant. The highest green pods yield and biological yield (9,100 and 5,326 kgha^-1 respectively) was obtained at a density of 70 plants m^-2 and irrigation at the flowering + poding stages. The lowest green pods yield of 4300 kgha^-1 was obtained at a density of 90 plants m^-2 + rain-fed, while the lowest biological yield of 3471 kgha^-1 was obtained at a density of 30 plants m^-2 + rain fed. The results also showed that the traits such as pods per plant and grains per pod have a positive correlation with green pods yield. Finally, the density of 70 plants m^-2 with two-stage supplemental irrigation (flowering + poding) was considered as the condition that enhanced high yield production and as such was recommended for the region.

Key words: Peas, plant density, supplemental irrigation, yield and yield components.