Influence of diurnal temperature variation on the growth and phenology of linseed cultivars in north-western Bangladesh ​

Linseed, one of the oldest, conventional and underutilised multipurpose crops in Bangladesh, can provide food, feed, fuel, and fibre. Environmental conditions especially temperature influence crop growth and development, which is the most vital factor in enhancing or reducing crop productivity. Experiments were, therefore, conducted at Farmer's field during two consecutive cropping seasons of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 to study the effect of diurnal temperature variation on the growth and phenology of linseed cultivars. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized completed block design having four replications. Linseed seeds were sown in 3.0 m × 0.6 m plots with continuous line sowing (two lines). The difference between the temperature extremes (weekly average) was observed 14.57 ⁰C in 1st week of January 2019 and 15.29 °C in 2nd week of February 2020. The temperature gradient influenced the growth, phenology and seed yield of linseed cultivars. The sowing of linseed should be completed within the second fortnight of November for better crop growth and seed yield in the north-western part of Bangladesh. The knowledge of the impact of extreme temperature on yield/yield components could contribute to the improvement of crop models or ideotype development.