SOWING DATES EFFECT ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF DIFFERENT WHEAT VARIETIES

Abstract

Growth and yieid response of three wheat (Triticum aestivium L ) varieties (Sufiman- 96, Chakwal-97 and Ingalab-g1) 1o various sowing times was studied at Karakoram Agricultural Research Institute, {Northern Areas} Gilgit. Pakistan during the year 2003-04. Three sowing dates viz. November 15, November 30 and December 15 were tested. Early planted wheat yielded maximum grains per spike (44.14), plant height (79 81 cm). 1000-grain weight (39 17 g) grain yield (4165 7 kg/ha) and straw yield (6814.2 kg/ha). Effect of varieties x sowing dates interaction was highly significant on number of tillers per square meter and grain yield. Maximum tillers were in Ingalab-81 (302.17) while Suliman-96 topped in grain yield (3387 33 kg/ha) Suliman-96 produced higher and statistically similar grain yield (4111.00 — 4243.75 kg/ha) at all sowing dates followed by Chakwal-87 (3750.00 to 3825.00 kg). Inqalab[1]91 produced the lowest (1955.00 - 2195.00 kg).