INFLUENCE OF DATE OF SEEDING ON YIELD AND OTHER AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS OF WINTER WHEAT AND RYE GROWN IN SASKATCHEWAN

Abstract

Four wheat and two rye cultivars were seeded at 2-wk intervals between 1 Aug. and 15 Oct. in five summer-fallow and two stubble-seeded trials at three locations in the north-central part of the agricultural area of Saskatchewan. Averaged over 3 yr, the optimum dates for planting both winter wheat and rye were between 15 Aug. and 1 Sept. Seeding earlier than this usually resulted in reduced yield and lower 1000-kernel weight. Later seeding usually resulted in a yield reduction, delayed heading, later maturity and reduced hectoliter weight. Reduced height in rye and reduced 1000-kernel weight in wheat were also associated with delayed seeding dates. However, exceptions to these generalizations did occur with the result that a significant trial by date of seeding interaction was recorded for all characters measured. For the optimum period for seeding, rye cultivars were higher yielding, earlier heading and maturing, taller and had lower 1000-kernel and hectoliter weight than winter wheat cultivars.Key words: Winter wheat, winter rye, yield, seeding date, maturity