Growth and Yield Attributes in Niger as Influence by Sowing Time

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2008-09 to 2011-12 at Niger Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Vanarasi (Gujarat), India to determine the most suitable sowing date for niger crop. Seeds (5 kg/ ha) of niger variety GN-1 were sown in RBD on 15^th July, 25^th July, 4th August, 14^th August, 24^th August and 4^th September with a spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm and supplied with recommended dose of NPK. The results revealed that sowing on second fortnight of July (15^th to 25^th July) produced the highest seed yield (kg/ha) attributed mainly to the increased number of branches, capitula per plant and a high 1000-seed weight whereas, delay in sowing leads to early flowering and maturity of niger crop might be due to favourable environmental conditions.