Yield components of dryland winter wheat genotypes and response to seeding rate

Abstract

Seeding at the optimum rate is among many decisions considered crucial for crop production. The main objective of this research was to evaluate seeding rate responses for popular dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties and determine if variety specific seeding rates were warranted. The study was conducted from 2015 through 2018 at Colby, Garden City, and Tribune, KS. The response of four winter wheat varieties Byrd, T158, TAM 111 or TAM 114, and Winterhawk at five seeding rates (34, 50, 67, 84, and 101 kg ha −1 ) were studied. The main effects of seeding rate and variety affected grain yield in all 12 environments with only one exception. The lowest yielding seeding rate was 34 kg ha −1 with seeding rates of 84 and 101 kg ha −1 producing the greatest yields in all years and locations. Averaged across site-years, there was a 17% yield advantage from selecting seeding rates 67 kg ha −1 and greater compared with the lowest seeding rate (34 kg ha −1 ). A combination of two or more yield components was a good predictor for wheat yield response to increased seeding rate. Lower than optimum seeding rates reduced grain yield while no agronomic penalty was observed to seeding rates above the optimum. We concluded a seeding rate of 67 kg ha −1 or more and variety selection are important factors for dryland winter wheat yield in the central Great Plains region. Results of this study do not support the necessity of variety specific seeding rate for dryland wheat production in the central Great Plains.

Enhancement of Wheat Productivity Under Different Levels of Tillage, Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Sources in An Arid Region

“…The same trend was observed in the flag leaf area, where N1 and intermediate seeding rate resulted in the significantly highest number of spikes m -1 and can be explained by availability of resources, reduced competition and the potential to produce spikes bearing tillers (Holman et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2021) Main effects of the studied factors on spike length were not significant (Table 3), however their three-way interaction was significant, highlighting best treatments combination as seeding rate S1 combined with N3, while tillage practice varied, PT and CT for 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively. The negative effect of increasing seeding rate on spike length was found to result from decreased number of grains spike -1 and TGW, similar to the results of Naveed et al (2014) and Melash et al (2019).…”

Optimizing agronomic practices for hard winter wheat production in the Great Plains with respect to seeding rate, row spacing, and variety

“…The overall weaker correlations among variables in 2022 are likely due to the effects of adverse weather conditions already noted; however, the relationships in the other 2 years are consistent with other literature. Similar relationships in the ANOVAs, particularly those relating to the main effects of row spacing, demonstrate that the advantages of narrower row spacings are not confined to a single effect but likely from the compounding of multiple, related physiological factors across the growing season as noted in the literature (Chen et al., 2008; Holman et al., 2021; Otteson et al., 2007; Tilley et al., 2019).…”

“…However, some studies have shown grain yield is unaffected by seeding rates when evaluated in environments under favorable climatic and agronomic conditions, such as optimum applications of fertilizer and adequate irrigation (Fischer et al., 2019; Freeze & Bacon, 1990; Johnson et al., 1988; Otteson et al., 2007). In addition, winter wheat tends not to show significant differences among cultivars regarding seeding rates treatments (Fischer et al., 2019; Holman et al., 2021; Valério et al., 2009). This yield response reflects the broad adaptability, plasticity, and growth habit pattern of tillering in diverse seeding rate environments.…”

Grain yield and quality of wheat are improved through post-flowering foliar application of zinc and 6- benzylaminopurine under water deficit condition

“…This interaction indicated that grain yield, grain weight and grain number per spike were increased 12%, 11 and 3% by foliar applied 20 mg L -1 6-BAP. Kernel weight and number of kernels per spike are the primary yield attributes of wheat ( Holman et al., 2021 ). Kernel weight is the result of a regulated balance between sink (seed size) and source organ.…”