Agronomy Library > Annual Weeds

Wheat Seeding Rate- Research Summary
Author: Adrian Johnson and F. Craig Stevenson
Date Created: January 01, 2001
Last Reviewed: February 05, 2009
Field experiments conducted at Melford, SK from 1997-1999: Row Spacing and Width Detail - three seed configurations of 9-inch (23cm) and 12-inch (30cm) distinct row – ¾ inch hoe opener; and an 8-inch (20cm) spread with an 11-inch (28cm) sweep on 9-inch rows. Seeding Rate Detail - four seeding rates (60, 90, 120, and 150 lbs per acre) with the narrow hoe opener;  and 67, 100, 134, and 167 kg/ha with the wide sweep. Seeded with two identical air seeders except one had 9-inch row spacing and the other had 12-inch row spacing. Urea fertilizer banded at right angles prior to seeding. Packed twice immediately after seeding with a tine harrow and coil packer unit. - Grain yield did not differ between the sweep and hoe opener (distinct row) regardless of seeding rate. - Similar yields among the three seed configurations occurred despite lodging being less with sweeps compared to the 9 or 12-inch row spacing at the highest seeding rate in 1998. - The increased distance between wheat plants with sweeps did not improve grain yields as a result of inter-plant competition, regardless of seeding rate. - the absence of grain yield differences between sweep and distinct row placement illustrates the yield stability associated with Canadian hard red spring wheat cultivars through yield component compensation.