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INFLUENCE OF TOPPING RAPESEED ON YIELD COM PONENTS AND OTHER AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS UNDER VARYING DATES OF PLANTING

RAHMAT ULLAH KHAN, H.H. MUENDEL* AND M. FAYYAZ CHAUDHRY**

Abstract: The effects of different planting dates were studied to determine the influence of topping at different growth stages on yield components, seed weight, seed yield and other agronomic characters. The time of topping had a significant effect on initial flowering and maturity periods. More days were required for initial flowering and maturity for the ratooned crop topped at first flower followed by the bud and pre-bud stage except where the secondary branches were removed, which appeared to be almost similar to the controls. Topping, however, had a negative effect on yield components. Removal of secondary branches had minimum effect on yield components and produced yield per plant and plot very close to the controls whereas, topping response was clearly evident on seed weight.

Arid Zone Research Sub-Station, Ratta Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan, NWFP, Pakistan.
Agriculture Canada Research Station, P. O. Box 3000 Main, Lethbridge, AB TIJ 481, Canada.
Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.