Baloch et al.

The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 20(4): 2010, Page: 239-240
J. Anim. Plant Sci. 20(4):2010
ISSN: 1018-7081

EFFECT OF SEEDING DENSITY AND PLANTING TIME ON GROWTH AND YIELD

ATTRIBUTES OF WHEAT
M. S. Baloch, I. T H. Shah, M. A. Nadim, M. I. Khan and A. A. Khakwani

Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

Corresponding author email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
In rice-wheat cropping system, farmers usually use normal wheat seed (100 kg ha -1) even under late planting. The
negative effect of late sowing may be compensated by the subsequent increase in seed quantity. In order to optimize seed
rate and time of sowing of wheat variety Hashim-8, an experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute,
Dera Ismail Khan on different sowing dates viz. October-25, November-10, November-25, December-10 and December-
25 with seeding rates of 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 kg ha-1. Data indicated higher number of tillers, spike length, plant
height, 1000-grain weight and the grain yield with seed rate of 150 kg ha-1. Similarly, sowing wheat on October-25 and
November-10 produced the highest number of tillers, spike length, plant height, 1000-grain weight and the grain yield,
which subsequently decreased with successive sowing dates. On the basis of results obtained, it is concluded that wheat
variety Hashim-8 should be sown between October-25 to November-10 with seed rate of 150 kg ha-1.
Key words: Wheat, Triticum aestivum, sowing time, seed rate

INTRODUCTION increase of the seeding density with that of sowing time is

an effective mean to increase the grain yield.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important From an agronomic point of view, a key factor
staple food crop of Pakistan. It occupies 9.042 million which is reflected in high wheat production is the well
hectares of the country with a total production of 23.864 understanding of early crop establishment factors
million tones and the national average yield of 2639 kg (Soomro et al., 2009) including time of planting, soil
ha-1 (Anonymous, 2010). Wheat yield is low in Pakistan characteristics, seed viability and availability of plant
on account of many biotic and abiotic factors. Among machinery (Sulieman, 2010). It is important to define the
these, the time of sowing and planting density are of great optimal sowing date and seeding rate of winter wheat
significance which determine the proper stand breeds, due to the climate-change of habitats, not only
establishment of the growing crop through balancing the from agro-technical factors (sowing date), but also from
plant to plant competition and ultimately affect the yield economic point of view (Kristo et al., 2006). The work of
(Kabesh et al., 2009; Nakano and Morita, 2009). It has Yan et al. (2008) also revealed that proper sowing date
been observed that early sowing gives high yield than late brings the highest protein content and yield in wheat
sowing due to longer growing period (Munir et al., 2002; grain.
Tanveer et al., 2003) and vigorous growth associated Keeping the importance of sowing date and seed
with rapid and uniform seedling emergence (Kirby, 1993) rate in view, a research trial was undertaken to optimize
and better combination of leaf size and tiller number these factors for a newly approved wheat variety
(Regan et al., 1992). Kristo et al. (2006) showed that “Hashim-8” under the agro-climatic conditions of Dera
winter wheat grown under more favourable conditions Ismail Khan.
(October sowing with 600 seeds m-2) responded to the
treatments more even compared to those grown under MATERIALS AND METHODS
unfavourable conditions (November sowing with 300
seeds m-2). Whereas, delay in sowing from 20th The wheat variety Hashim-8 was sown at the
November onward decreased the wheat grain yield @ 39 Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan on
kg ha-1 day-1 (Singh and Uttam, 1994). Similarly, 15% October-25, November-10, November-25, December-10
increase in grain yield was recorded when the seeding and December-25 (Factor-A) with seeding densities of
rate was increased from 41 to 95 kg ha-1 (Ali, 1982). It 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 kg ha-1 (Factor-B). The
has also been noted that the increase of seeding rate at experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block
early and optimal sowing time is unfavourable, but the design (factorial) with three replications using a standard
negative effect of late sowing could be compensated by sub-plot size of 1.8x5m2 with 6 rows, 5m long and 30cm
the increase of seed quantity (Pan et al., 1994). apart. Fertilizers were applied @150: 120: 90 NPK kg ha-
1
Hiltbrunner et al. (2007) advocated that a rationale in the form of Urea, Di-Ammonium Phosphate and

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Potassium Sulphate respectively. All the phosphorous, concerned, significant observations were recorded for the
potash and ½ of the nitrogen were applied at the time of spike length. Sowing wheat on October-25 and
sowing and remaining ½ nitrogen was top dressed with November-10 produced the longest and statistically at par
first irrigation. Weedicide Buctril Super was applied @ spike length of 10.6 cm (Table-4). Further delay in
750 ml ha-1 after first irrigation to control weeds. The soil sowing resulted in shorter spike length. Seed rate and its
of site was silty clay, the pH = 7.78 and the organic interaction with sowing time did not show significant
matter content < 1 %. Meteorological data at the effect on spike length (Table-2), however, longer spike
experimental site revealed the maximum temperature (37º length of 10.2 cm was noted on 25th October with 100
C) in April and the minimum (5º C) in December and and 175 kg seed ha-1. Waraich et al. (1981) reported that
January/2010 (Table-1). The data were recorded on earlier planting resulted in better spike development due
number of tillers m-2, spike length (cm), plant height at to longer growing period.
maturity (cm), 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield (kg ha-
1 Plant height at maturity (cm): Height of the crop is
) and analyzed statistically using MSTATC computer
mainly controlled by the genetic makeup of a genotype
software.
and it can also be affected by the environmental factors
(Shahzad et al., 2007). The data showed that plant height
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION differed significantly by planting time (Table-5). The
wheat crop sown on November-10 and October- 25
Number of tillers (m-2): The economic yield of most of produced the tallest plants of 103.3 and 98.8 cm
the cereals is determined by the number of tillers. It has respectively. In case of seeding rates, the maximum plant
the great agronomic importance as this may compensate height (103.3 cm) was observed with seed rate of 150 kg
the difference in number of plants, partially or totally ha-1 followed by 175 kg seed ha-1 which produced plants
after crop establishment and may allow crop recovery of 93.2 cm. These results, however, did not coincide with
from early frost (Acevedo et al., 1998). It is evident from Sulieman (2010) who reported that increase in the
the data that sowing time had no significant effect on the seeding rate resulted in a slight increment in the heights
number of tillers per unit area. However, sowing wheat of the plants. This could be because of variable
on 25th October gave the maximum number of tillers environmental conditions and genetic makeup of the
(317.5 m-2) as compared to the wheat sown on 25th genotypes used in both these studies.
December which showed the lowest value for number of
tillers (Table-3). Different seed rates significantly Table-1.Average monthly and seasonal meteorological
increased the number of tillers, wherein, the use of 200 data during 2009-2010.
kg seed ha-1 produced higher number of tillers (311.8 m-2)
closely followed by 150 kg seed ha-1 with 306 number of Temperature Relative
tillers m-2. The interaction of seed rate and planting time (0C) Humidity Rainfall
remained non-significant statistically (Table-2) because Month
0800 1400 (mm)
Max Min
the process of tillering is mainly controlled by genetic Hrs. Hrs.
and environmental factors (Longnecker et al., 1993). October 33 16 82 57 13
Shahzad et al. (2007) also reported that sowing wheat on November 25 10 80 55 --
15th December produced significantly more fertile tillers December 22 5 81 63 --
than the crop sown on 15th and 30th November. January 16 5 88 76 9.2
February 22 8 76 58 1.1
Spike length (cm): The length of spike plays a vital role March 30 15 63 63 22
in wheat towards the grains spike-1 and finally the yield April 37 19 74 45 --
(Shahzad et al., 2007). As far as the sowing time is

Table-2.Mean square of ANOVA’s of number of tillers, spike length, plant height, 1000-grain weight and grain
yield in wheat.

S. V. D.F Tillers m-2 Spike length Plant height 1000-grain weight Grain yield
Replication 2 2366.44 0.28 104.03 9.60 195233.33
Factor A 4 4701.98NS 6.77* 1206.08* 53.07* 6209083.33*
Error 8 3330.85 0.48 36.65 11.50 1435358.33
Factor B 4 4633.55* 0.33NS 35.52* 2.80NS 355000.00NS
AB 16 1219.86NS 0.28NS 10.73NS 8.66NS 490645.83NS
Error 40 1265.34 0.23 7.08 7.78 686416.66
Total 74 -- -- -- -- --
NS = Non-significant * = Significant at 5% level of probability.

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1000-grain weight (g): Among different sowing dates, etc, which leads to the decrease in grain yield (Ragasits,
the maximum 1000-grain weight (40.1 and 40.0 g) was 1998). The interaction of seed rate and planting time was
recorded on October-25 and November-10 respectively non-significant statistically (Table-2)
(Table-6). The minimum 1000-grain weight (36.1 g) was
noted on December-25 sowing date. Among seeding Table-5.Plant height (cm) as affected by seed rate and
rates, the maximum 1000-grain weight (38.7 g) was planting time in wheat.
obtained when normal seed rate of 100 kg ha -1 was used.
Further increase in seed rate did not show any positive Planting Seed rate (kg ha-1)
Means
effect on grain weight. This might be due to bulk planting Time 100 125 150 175 200
density on account of higher seed rates used that 95.7
Oct-25 NS 97.4 10.3.3 100.8 101.6 99.8 a
eventually declined the seed weight. The results are in
accordance with the findings of Shahzad et al. (2007) Nov-10 102.2 103.3 103.3 103.8 103.8 103.3 a
Nov-25 93.3 90.5 96.1 94.4 88.8 92.6 b
who also observed that earlier sowing resulted in better
Dec-10 84.4 86.6 89.9 87.2 88.3 87.3 c
development of the grain due to longer growing period. Dec-25 78.8 82.7 82.7 79.9 82.2 81.3 d
90.9 92.1 93.2 93.0
Table-3.Number of tillers (m-2) as affected by seed Means 95.1 a
c bc ab b
rate and planting time in wheat. LSD0.05 (Seed rate) = 1.96
LSD0.05 (Planting time) = 5.09
Planting Seed rate (kg ha-1) NS = Non-significant
Means Means followed by different letter(s) in a column and rows are
Time 100 125 150 175 200
Oct-25 273.3NS
316.0 323.6 303.0 371.6 317.5 NS significant at 5% level of probability.
Nov-10 294.3 316.0 323.3 315.3 286.6 307.1
Nov-25 235.6 275.0 302.0 295.6 304.0 282.4 Table-6.1000-grain weight (g) as affected by seed rate
Dec-10 279.3 262.6 296.0 310.0 311.3 291.8 and planting time in wheat.
Dec-25 268.6 242.0 285.0 290.0 285.3 274.2
Means 270.2c 282.3bc 306.0ab 302.8ab 311.8a
LSD0.05 (Seed rate) = 26.25 Planting Seed rate (kg ha-1)
Means
NS = Non-significant Time 100 125 150 175 200
Means followed by different letter(s) in a row are significant at 5% level Oct-25 40.5NS 40.0 40.7 40.3 38.9 40.1a
of probability. Nov-10 41.5 39.4 43.1 37.4 38.4 40.0a
Nov-25 38.4 37.9 35.6 35.4 39.7 37.4ab
Dec-10 36.3 35.1 36.2 38.1 37.0 36.5b
Table-4.Spike length (cm) as affected by seed rate and
Dec-25 36.8 35.6 35.4 38.2 34.7 36.1b
planting time in wheat. Means 38.7NS 37.6 38.2 37.9 37.7
LSD0.05 (Planting time) = 2.85
Planting Seed rate (kg ha-1) Means followed by different letter(s) in a column are significant
Means
Time 100 125 150 175 200 at 5% level of probability.
Oct-25 11.2NS 10.9 10.3 10.4 10.3 10.6a
Nov-10 10.7 10.2 10.6 11.1 10.4 10.6a
Nov-25 10.5 10.1 9.8 10.6 10.2 10.2ab Table-7.Grain yield (kg ha-1) as affected by seed rate
Dec-10 10.1 9.9 9.9 10.0 9.4 9.9b and planting time in wheat.
Dec-25 8.6 8.8 9.3 9.2 9.1 9.0c
Means 10.2NS 10.0 10.0 10.2 9.9 Planting Seed rate (kg ha-1)
LSD0.05 (Planting time) = 0.58
Means
Time 100 125 150 175 200
Means followed by different letter(s) in a column are significant at 5% Oct-25 5366.6NS 6016.6 5933.3 5283.3 5650.0 5650.0a
level of probability. Nov-10 5133.3 5350.0 5750.0 6150.0 5616.6 5600.0a
Nov-25 4866.6 4100.0 4533.3 4333.3 4466.6 4460.0b
Grain yield (kg ha-1): The data showed significant
Dec-10 4850.0 4416.6 4950.0 5333.3 4550.0 4800.0ab
effects (P<0.05) of different sowing time, whereas, the Dec-25 3533.3 4266.6 4350.0 4100.0 5033.3 4257.0b
seed rate differed non-significantly for the grain yield. Means 4750.0NS 4830.0 5103.3 5040.0 5043.3
The highest grain yield was obtained from October-25 LSD0.05 (Planting time) = 1009.0 Means followed by different
and November-10 planting date (5650 and 5600 kg ha-1 letter(s) in a column are significant at 5% level of probability.
respectively) while December-25 produced the lowest
Conclusion: In the present research, wheat variety
grain yield of 4257 kg ha-1 (Table-7). Shahzad et al.
Hashim-8 produced higher number of tillers, spike
(2007) also obtained lower grain yield with delay in
length, plant height, 1000-grain weight and the grain
sowing due to shorter duration of growth and
yield when sown on October-25 and November-10 (15
development. The use of 150 kg seed ha-1 produced
days interval) with seed rate of 150 kg ha -1. Therefore,
higher grain yield of 5103.3 kg ha-1 than other seeding
sowing time October-25 to November-10 with 150 kg
rates used. Further increase in seed rate did not improve
seed ha-1 is recommended to obtain higher yield of wheat
grain yield because the dense wheat population creates
var. Hashim-8.
keen competition between plants for nutrients, moisture

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