EFFECT OF PLANTING DATES AND PLANTING METHODS ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF TRITICALE

Abstract

This experiment was carried out in the experimental station of Coll .of Agric .Abu-Ghraib, Univ. of Baghdad during the winter seasons of 2011 and 2012 to find out the effect of planting dates (15 Nov., 25 Nov., 1 Dec., and 10 Dec.) and two planting methods (rows and broadcasting) of Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack). Factorial experiment was used with RCBD at three replicates. Results showed that planting date 15 Nov. gave higher plant height (119.00 and 121.50) cm, spike length (10.60 and 10.90)cm, number of spikes.m-2 (288.33 and 289.17) and number of tillers.m-2 (424.00 and 421.20) while the planting date 25 Nov. gave higher number of grain per spike (59.67 and 62.50), grain yield (4.97 and 5.22) ton.h-1 and 1000 grain weight (39.67 and 42.67) gm. The planting date 10 Dec. gave higher protein percentage (14.50 and 14.65)% for both seasons respectively. The treatment planting method rows gave higher plant height (106.75 and 110.50) cm, spike length (10.58 and 10.99 cm), number of spikes.m-2 (276.08 and 273.33), number of tillers.m-2, (360.4 and 363.2), 1000 grain weight (35.42 and 38.17) gm and grain yield (4.56 and 4.73) ton.h-1 for both seasons respectively. The interaction effect was significant between two factors in most of studied traits for both season, respectively. However, the combination of planting method rows with planting date 25 Nov. gave the highest grain yield (5.07 and 5.37) ton.h-1 for both season, respectively. It may be concluded that the best planting date was during the period 15-30 November with planting method rows and any delay in Triticale planting might reduce of the grain yield.