Abstract

SUASTE-FRANCO, M. Pilar et al. Effect of plant density and sowing method on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield in el Bajío, México. Agrociencia [online]. 2013, vol.47, n.2, pp.159-170. ISSN 2521-9766.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields depend on date, method and sowing density. The objective of this research was to study the effect of the method and sowing density on intermediate and late sowing dates on the grain yield of two wheat cultivars. In the fall-winter seasons of2006-2008, two sowing dates (December 22 and January 12), four sowing methods (conventional flat sowing of four and six rows and raised bed sowing of two and three rows), four plant densities (60, 120, 180 and 240 kg seed ha^-1) and two cultivars (Bárcenas S2002 and Josecha F2007), were evaluated. The experimental design was a randomized block with a split-plot arrangement with four replications. The highest yield was obtained in the first sowing date in the two cycles (p < 0.01). The conventional flat methods outperformed the sowing in rows (p < 0.01). The seeding rate of 180 kg ha^-1 exceeded densities of 60 and 120 and equaled or exceeded that of 240 kg ha^-1. The variety Josecha F2007 outperformed Bárcenas S2002 in 2006-2007. Sowings in late December and early January with 180 kg ha^-1 seed outperformed the regional control with 240 kg ha^-1 and that recommend for this region with 120 kg ha^-1.

Keywords : Triticum aestivum; conventional flat sowing; raised bed sowing; rows.