EFFECT OF SEEDING RATE ON GROWTH, GRAIN YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS OF DIFFERENT BREAD WHEAT CULTIVARS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF IRAQ

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at Al-Suwaira Experimental Station during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons.The objective is to test the performance of new developed and introduced cultivars of bread wheat from the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD 885, ACSAD889, ACSAD 969, ACSAD 981, ACSAD 1069, ACSAD1123, and ACSAD 1131) with the local check, Abu-Ghraib 3 under different seeding rates. A splitplot of cultivars as subplot on seeding rates (main plots) in RCB design with three replications was used to studygrowth traits, grain yield and its components.Results revealed significant effects of tested cultivars in almost all traits studied in the 1st season. While, spike length, spikes/ m2, seeds/ spike and 1000 seed weight were exceeded in the 2nd season. Whereas, seeding rates showed significant effect on spikes/ m2 in the 1st season and on plant length, spikes/ m2, seeds/ spike and 1000 seed weightin the second season. Pooled analysis revealed no significant effect on all traits. Cultivars x seeding rates interactions affected significantly on 1000 seed weight.The cultivar ACSAD 1123 gave the highest grain yield (6153 kg/ha) and differed significantly on local bread wheat and otherintroduced cultivars, which indicates the ability of its release for wide cultivation in Iraq. The utility of all cultivars introduced will reflects on hybridization programs to transfer the desirable traits.