Effect of seeding rate and seed soaking duration on productivity of relay-intercropped wheat in cotton

The major conflict in cotton-wheat cropping system is prolonged harvesting of cotton which results in late planting of wheal leading to decreased yield. To overcome such yield constraints, relay intercropping of wheat in cotton is the better option. The field experiment was conducted to identify the basis of recommendation of agronomic intervention of wheat sowing as relay crop in standing cotton. Biological response of wheat relay intercropped in cotton was assessed at different seeding densities and seed soaking durations at the Postgraduate Agricultural Research Station, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment comprised of four wheat seed soaking in tap water durations (0, 6, 12 and 18 hours) and three seeding densities of wheat seed (100, 125 and 150 kg per ha). In standing cotton, wheat seed was broadcasted as per treatments. The experiment was carried out in RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) with factorial arrangement having three replications. All other agronomic practices were kept uniform for all treatments. The collected data was statistically analyzed by using Fisher's analysis of variance technique and least significant difference (LSD) test at 5% probability level was used to compare the treatments' means. The results of study showed that seed rate significantly affect the germination count and soaking duration of seed significantly reduced time to start 50% emergence. Seed rate of 150 kg per ha, and soaking duration for 12 hours significantly improved yield contributing traits like number of productive tiller, spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike and grain yield. In conclusion, the productivity of wheat sowing on zero-tilled soil in standing cotton was enhanced by using seed at the rate of 150 kg per ha, along with soaking duration of wheat seed for 12 hours.