Seeding depth, rate and row spacing for winter wheat grown on stubble and chemical fallow in the semiarid prairies

Abstract

Recommendations regarding seeding depth, rate and row spacing for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the semiarid Canadian prairies have been extrapolated from those for the production of spring wheat in the region, or from information on winter wheat studies conducted in more humid areas of Saskatchewan. A factorial combination of two seeding depths (25- vs. 50-mm), two row spacing (18- vs. 36-cm) and two seeding rates (30 vs. 60 kg ha−1) was used to study plant establishment, grain yield and grain quality of winter wheat in the semiarid Brown soil zone. Three years of experiments were conducted on a Swinton silt loam near Swift Current, and on a Hatton fine sandy loam near Cantuar. Winter wheat was seeded directly into stubble at both sites and into chemically prepared fallow on the silt loam. On average, there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) due to planting depth. Deep planting reduced plant establishment and grain yield in only two of 11 site-years when humid conditions prevailed. Plant establishment and grain yield were superior for the 60 kg ha−1 seeding rate compared to the 30 kg ha−1 rate in the wet year (1986). In drier years (1987 and 1988) there was rarely any difference due to seeding rate. Narrow row spacing resulted in greater plant density than wide row spacing; however, row spacing had little effect on grain yield. In the semiarid prairie, where trash clearance for seeding implements is not usually a problem, and where many producers still swath the crop, it may be advantageous to use a narrow row spacing. However, if power requirements and trash clearance are important considerations, wide row spacing will be advantageous. Grain quality parameters (test weight, kernel weight and protein concentration) were not greatly affected by the factors studied. For winter wheat production in the semiarid prairie, we recommend that planting depth be shallow (about 25 mm), seeding rate be 60 kg ha−1, and row spacing be either narrow or wide depending on mode of harvesting. Key words: Semiarid prairie, winter wheat, grain yield, grain protein