Row-spacing and seed-rate effects on winter wheat in Ontario

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine if winter wheat in southwestern Ontario should be grown in rows narrower than the conventional 18 cm and if the current recommended seed rate of 3.2 million seeds ha −1 (msh) is adequate. We compared the effect of 10- and 20-cm row spacings and 1.6, 3.2, and 6.4 msh seed rates on grain yield, weed growth and yield of underseeded clover. Row spacing at a constant seed rate did not affect yield. With increasing seed rate there was an increase in yield, mainly through more heads per unit area, which more than compensated for a decrease in seeds per head. Narrow rows reduced the number of lamb’s-quarters and the overall weed count. The optimum seed rate for grain yield was 6.4 msh for ratios of seed cost:crop value less than 1.34. Key words: Narrow rows, weeds, yield, economic optimum