Alterations in Growth and Yield of Camelina Induced by Different Planting Densities under Water Deficit Stress

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) is famous for its oil quality and unique fatty acid pattern. Growth and yield of crops reduced under water deficit conditions. Environmental threat such as drought or water deficit condition is the emerging problem which creates the negative impact on the growth of plants. Based upon the current situation a pot study was performed in rain out-shelter to explore the effect of different plant densities (15, 10 and 5 plants per pot) on growth and seed yield of two camelina genotypes under normal (100% WHC) and water deficit (60% WHC) conditions by using completely randomized design with factorial arrangement having three replicates. Results indicated that individual effects of plant densities and water deficit stress levels considerably influenced the growth and seed yield of camelina but interaction effects did not indicate any significant variation. Maximum values of leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were recorded in P-3 treatment (15 plants per pot). However, maximum values of leaf area duration (LAD), net assimilation rate (NAR), yield and yield components were observed in the treatment P-1 (5 plants per pot). Water deficit condition (60% WHC) significantly minimized the growth, seed yield (0.82 g/m(2)) and yield components of camelina genotypes. Both camelina genotypes (611 and 618) did not differ significantly under water deficit conditions.