Effects of Seeding Rates and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Levels on Seed Production of Winter Rye (Secale cereale L.) in Northern Gyeongbuk Province

The study was conducted to determine proper seeding rate and nitrogen fertilizer level for the effective seed production of Winter Rye (Secale cereale L.) with randomized block design with three replicates by combining both seeding rates (3, 5, and 7 kg/10a) and different nitrogen fertilizer application levels (0, 3, 6, and 9 kg/10a) in northern area of Gyeongbuk province from Oct. 7, 2013 to Jun. 15, 2014. Emergence and overwintering rates were not influenced but lodging degree was influenced by seeding rate and nitrogen fertilizer level. High lodging were observed at the seeding rates and nitrogen fertilizer levels of more than 5 kg/10a and 6 kg/10a, respectively (p less than 0.01). Lodging less than 20% were observed at the seeding rate of 3 kg/10a regardless of the increase of nitrogen fertilizer level, furthermore, no lodging was shown though seeding rate was increased up to 7 kg/10a under the condition without nitrogen fertilizer. No. of leaves per plant, plant height and culm length were increased as affected by the increase of nitrogen fertilizer level rather than the increase of seeding rate. Spike length was shortened as affected by the increase of seeding rate while it was lengthened by the increase of nitrogen fertilizer level with no interaction effect between the two factors. No. of stems and spikes per m2 were influenced by the increase of nitrogen fertilizer level rather than by seeding rate with no interaction effect between the two factors. Grain yield was significantly increased as influenced by the increases of seeding rate (A) and nitrogen fertilizer level (B) with interaction effect (A × B), which resulted in the highest grain yield (310 kg/10a) at the seeding rate of 5 kg/10a and the nitrogen fertilizer level of 3 kg/ 10a. In conclusion, the proper seeding rate and fertilizer application level would be 5 kg/10a and 3 kg/ 10a, respectively to effectively produce the winter rye seeds in northern Gyeongbuk province.