Effect of seed rates and row spacings on two wheat cultivars under dryland conditions

Row spacing (main plots) with: 30,45 and 60 cm apart rows were arrangedin a Randomized Complete Blocked Design replicated four times. Cultivars usedwere Suleman and Bakhtawar 92. Maximum plant m2 emerged was recorded inSuleman 96 having 30 cm apart rows. Seeding rate 125 kg ha-1 resulted inmaximum plant m2 emerged. The data regarding tillers m2 revealed that thevarieties and seeding rates has significantly affected the number of tillers m2.The highest number of tillers m2 were recorded in plots sown at seeding rate25 kg ha-1, while in case of varieties, Bakhtawar-92 produced more tillers m2than Suleman 96. Maximum days to anthesis were noted in Suleman 96 atseeding rate of 75 kg ha-1 having 60 cm apart rows. Data recorded on numberof days to maturity were significantly affected only by varieties. Bakhtawar 92reached earlier to maturity compared to Suleman 96. The varieties, seedingrates and interaction between the row spacing and seeding rates hassignificant effect on grain filling duration. While row spacing had no effectgrain filling duration. Maximum days to grain filling duration between 60 cmapart rows and 25 kg ha-1 seeding rate has resulted in more days to grainfilling duration. Varieties, seeding rate and interaction among the varieties,row spacings and seeding rates have significant effect on plant height.However, row spacings have no effect on plant height. Tallest plants wererecorded in Bakhtawar 92 as compared to Suleman 96. Maximum number ofspikes m2 were recorded in Bakhtawar 92, with 30 cm row spacings andseeding rate of 75 kg ha-1. The interaction among the seed rates, rowspacings and varieties have significant effect on grains spike, while seedingrates and row spacings have no significant effect on grains spike-1. Highestnumber of grains spike-1 were noted in 60 cm apart rows at seeding rate of50 kg ha-1. Suleman 96 maximum grains spike-1 compared to Bakhtawar 92.Highest 1000 grains weight was recorded at the seeding rate of 25 kg ha-1,while Bakhtawar 92 produced maximum 1000 grains weight compared to Suleman96. Data collected on grains and straw yields revealed that varieties and rowspacings have significantly affected grain and straw yields. The interactionbetween the seeding rate of 125 kg ha-1 with planting geometry of 30 cmapart rows produced the highest biological yield. While in case of varieties,Bakhtawar 92 produced maximum biological yield compared to Suleman 96.Varieties, seeding rates and the interaction among the varieties, seeding ratesand row spacings have significantly affected the harvest index. Seeding rateof 75 kg ha-1 produced highest harvest index value, while interactions amongSuleman 96 having 30 cm apart rows and seeding rate of 100 kg ha-1produced highest harvest index value. It may be concluded that plantingBakhtawar 92 at seeding rate of 75 kg ha-1 with row spacing of 30 cm apartrows may be more productive for wheat cultivation in dry area, without anysignificant reduction in grain yield.