Response of Lentil (<i>Lens culinaris</i> Medik) to Plant Density, Sowing Date, Phosphorus Fertilization and Ethephon Application in the Absence of Moisture Stress

Abstract

Abstract Lentil ( Lenus culinaris Medik) is a major grain legume crop in many developing countries in West Asia, North Africa and many other areas of the world. The effects of sowing date (1 January, 15 January and 2 February), plant density (80, 100 and 120 plants m −2 ), phosphorus level (0, 17.5, 35.0 and 52.5 kg P ha −1 ) and ethephon application [(1500 p.p.m. ethephon (2‐chloroethel phosphonic acid) applied 30 days after sowing] were investigated in the semiarid region in the north of Jordan. High yields were obtained for early sowing (1 January), high plant density (120 plants m −2 ), and high phosphorus application rate (52.5 kg P ha −1 ). Yield and yield components were not affected by ethephon application 30 days after sowing.