Effect of Sowing Date on Growth and Yield of Some Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Genotypes

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2008-09 at the Demonstration Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Shambat to study the effect of sowing date (4th Dec. and 29th Dec.) on growth and yield components of twelve wheat genotypes (11 accessions and one check cultivar). The two sowing dates were assigned to the main plots and the genotypes for the sub plots. The studied characters were plant height (cm), number of tillers per plant, Number of leaves per plant, Leaf area index (LAI.), Number of spike per plant, Number of spikelets per spike, number of grain per spike, grains yield (t/ha), grains yield per plant (g) and 100 grains weight. Split plot design with three replicates was used to conduct the experiment; Analysis of variance indicated significant differences between the sowing dates, genotypes and the genotype x sowing dates interaction for the characters of 100 grain weight, yield/plant and yield ton/ha. Also the analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the genotypes and genotype x sowing dates interaction for the characters of days to 75% booting, days to anthesis, and days to maturity. The genotype TEVE -1/SHUHA-6 and Hudiba2 (local) gave the highest yield at 4th December sowing; the genotypes HENNE/PGO/4, Hudiba 01(local), KAUZ/KAPSW and QIMMA2 gave the same yield as the check cultivar (Imam) at 4th December sowing. At 29th December sowing, the genotype SAMR-13/PASTOR gave the highest yield followed by the genotypes HENNE/PGO/4, Hudiba 01 (local) and KAR -1/6/SAKER respectively. With the exception of the two genotypes TEVE -1/SHUHA-6 and Hudiba 02 (local), other genotypes gave same yield at the two sowing dates. In conclusion, the genotypes 86 and 01 could be used as potential for late sowing at traditional wheat production areas and as potential for early sowing for non-traditional areas. The other genotypes could be used as potential for non-traditional wheat producing areas where the cultivation of wheat crop is to be delayed for any reason or other