Yield Performance and Nutritional Composition of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Seeds under Different Planting Times in Bangladesh

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) is a nutrient-rich but underutilized crop in Bangladesh with potential for both agricultural and nutritional improvement. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of planting time on seed yield and yield components, and to assess the proximate composition of garden cress seeds under Bangladeshi conditions. A pot experiment was carried out at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from July to November 2023 using four planting dates (July, August, September, and October) arranged in a completely randomised design with three replications. Planting time significantly influenced seed yield and its contributing traits. The highest seed yield (0.587 g plant⁻¹), number of pods (128 plant⁻¹), and 1000-seed weight (2.37 g) were recorded for October planting, whereas July planting failed to produce viable seeds due to unfavourable environmental conditions. August and September plantings showed intermediate performance. A strong positive relationship was observed between yield and yield components, particularly pod number and seed weight. Proximate analysis revealed that garden cress seeds are rich in crude protein (34.43%), crude fibre (17.41%), crude lipid (14.34%), ash (7.98%), and carbohydrates (22.48%), with low moisture content (3.36%). These findings indicate that the seeds possess high nutritional value and good storage potential. The results suggest that proper selection of planting time is essential for maximising yield, while the high nutrient content highlights the importance of garden cress as a functional food. This study provides useful information for promoting cultivation and utilisation of garden cress in Bangladesh.