INFLUENCE OF SOWING TYPE, TIME AND RATE ON THE BUCKWHEAT YIELD FORMING ELEMENTS

There is a lack of an actual information concerning cultivation of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), on the best methods of sowing and seeding rates. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in the buckwheat yield forming elements depending on sowing type, time and rate. Trials were established in farm "Araji", Kraslava area, during 2010. Previous crop was spring barley. Buckwheat cultivar 'Aiva' was used in the field trial. Sowing was done on six different dates - May 15, 20, 25 and 30, and June 4 and 9. Two different types of sowing were used - drill sowing, with 4 sowing rates 200, 300, 400, 500 fertile nutlets per 1 m(2), and the column sowing with the three sowing rates 150, 250, 300 fertile nutlets per m(2). Data analyses were run using MS Excel Two factor analyses of variance. Time of sowing and seed rate had a significant influence on the buckwheat yield forming elements. Evaluating the performance of plant density at column sowing, it was found that plants survival rate was higher than that in drill sowing. The highest individual productivity of the plant was observed in plots sown in columns. The yield of buckwheat was on average 30-50% higher in the plots that were sown from June 4th to 9th if compared to those sown from May 15th to 20th, i.e. earlier sowing times were not the most suitable for buckwheat sowing in 2010.