ZONATION OF OPTIMUM SEEDING PERIOD OF WINTER WHEAT BASED ON AUTUMN TEMPERATURES

Abstract

Seeding date is an important management factor affecting the performance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, optimum seeding date was closely related to air temperatures in autumn in various regions of Canada (R = 0.998). This relationship was used to estimate optimum seeding period (SP) and construct a zonation map for the Maritime Provinces. Seeding period ranged from 15–28 Aug. in northern New Brunswick to 10–25 Sept. in the Annapolis Valley region of Nova Scotia.Key words: Wheat (winter), climate, winter survival, zonation map