Influence of sowing time on growth and yield of Plantago ovata Forsk. under middle Gujarat conditions

Field experiments were conducted to study the growth and yield performance of isabgolunder different sowing regimes. Sowings were done on 18 and 25 October; 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 November; 7, 14, 21 and 28 December; and 4 January. Various phenophases, growth, yield and quality attributes, except swelling factor and husk (%) were significantly influenced by sowing time. Days to flower induction, 50% flowering and crop maturity, number of leaves/plant, width of leaf, number of effective spikes/plant, length of inflorescence and spike, stover yield, test weight and production efficiency were positively and significantly correlated with seed yield while days to germination showed significantly negative association (r = −0.87). Maximum yield of seed (13.43 q/ha) and stover (47.86 q/ha) was recorded with 2 November sowing and proved to be the optimum time for sowing of isabgolunder hot semi to arid agro-eco system of Gujarat. However, delay in sowing beyond 7 December resulted in drastic reduction (> 39%) in seed yield. A regression model was also developed to predict the optimum sowing time.