Evaluating the impact of plant spacing on tillering dynamics and productivity of wheat

A two year experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during the winter season 2012-13 and 2013-14 with an idea to study the tillering dynamic of wheat at different sowing methods. Randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications, was used to conduct experiment. Net plot size was 5 m x 1.8 m. In two main plots randomization of varieties Punjab-2011 and AARI-2011 was done. In five subplots, randomization of sowing methods was done. Sowing methods used were broadcasting, line sowing with R x R distance of 22.5 cm and plant to plant distance was not maintained, line sowing with R x R distance of 22.5 cm and P x P distance 7.6 cm, line sowing with R x R distance of 22.5 cm and P x P distance 15.2 cm, and line sowing with R x R distance of 22.5 cm and P x P 22.5 cm. Standard procedures for recording parameters related to growth, yield and quality of wheat were followed. According to the results obtained variety Punjab-2011 produced significantly higher grain yield than AARI-2011 for growing seasons 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. In 2012-13, for varieties Punjab-2011 and AARI-2011, 5.31 t per ha and 4.36 t per ha grain yield was recorded, respectively. In year 2013-14, Punjab-2011 produced 4.61 t per ha while AARI-2011 produced 3.67 t per ha grain yield. In sub plots line sowing with R x R distance of 22.5 cm and P x P distance 15.2 cm gave maximum grain yield 5.80 t per ha and 5.07 t per ha during 2012-13 and 213-14 respectively. Maximum number of productive tillers, number of tillers per plant, leaf area index, spike length, number of grains per spike and biological yield were observed with variety Punjab-2011 and line sowing with R x R distance of 22.5 cm and P x P distance 15.2 cm. More rainfall in the month February (55 mm) in year 2012-13 was recorded than February 2013-14 (14.3 mm) which positively affected the tillering stage of wheat and resulted in higher grain yield in year 2012-13.