Evaluating the Impact of Seed Rate and Sowing Dates on Wheat Productivity in Semi-Arid Environment

Variation in temperature significantly decreased wheat productivity. Appropriate seed rate and sowing time is crucial to achieve the higher yield on a sustainable basis. To evaluate the impact of seed rates and sowing dates on agro-physiological attributes of wheat, a trial was conducted during winter 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 using randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement. Treatments were comprised of four sowing dates (10th November, 25th November, 10th December and 25th December) and four seed rates (100, 125, 150 and 175 kg ha(-1)). Effect of variation in temperatures were evaluated by relationship of mean temperatures with phenology and yield. Results demonstrated that more days to anthesis of 107 and maturity days of 145 were recorded at 10th November sowing date. Maximum LAI of 5.85 were recorded at 25th November sowing date with seed rate of 175 kg ha(-1), which was statistically similar with 10th November sowing date with 175 kg ha(-1) seed rate. Higher grain yield of 4717 kg ha(-1) was recorded in 10th November sowing dates with 125 kg ha(-1) seed rate in both year. Effect of mean temperatures with phenology and yield showed a negative co-relation with R-2 ranged from 0.84 to 0.95. Days to anthesis decreased by 10-15 days by increase in mean temperature of 1 degrees C. Therefore, it is concluded that higher temperature during growing season of the crop negatively affected the phenology and yield attributes of wheat. In conclusion, wheat sown from 10th to 25th November at seed rate of 125 kg ha(-1) harvested maximum grain yield. However, in case of late sown wheat i.e., 10th and 25th December, the seed rates of 150 and 175 kg ha(-1) resulted in higher wheat yield. (C) 2019 Friends Science Publishers