Integration of high seeding densities and criss cross row planting pattern suppresses weeds and increases grain yield of spring wheat

Abstract

Aim : Methodology :Results : Interpretation :Eco-friendly and sustainable weed management tactics are advocated by weed managers worldwide. In order to develop such a technology, an experiment was undertaken at Agronomic Research Area of the Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan during rabi season.A 2-factor experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block d e s i g n w i t h s p l i t p l o t arrangement with the planting patterns (line and criss cross sowings) assigned to main plots and seed rates (50, 100, 150, 200 -1 kg ha ) of wheat kept into sub plots.Weed density and biomass at harvest were 28 and 33%, lesser in a criss cross as compared to line sowing. Weed suppression was inversely and g r a i n y i e l d w a s d i r e c t l y proportional to seeding rates.The highest grain yield (6.9 t ha ) was obtained from the interaction -1 of 200 kg ha seed rate under criss cross planting.Regardless of planting pattern, 37% higher grain yield was harvested at the -1 highest rate (200 kg ha ) as compared to the lowest (50 kg -1 ha ) seed rate. Thus, integration of denser crop and uniform stand via criss cross pattern planting in small grains can reduce the pollution of herbicides and e n e r g y c o s t o n w e e d management.

Response of Indian Dwarf Wheat and Persian Wheat to Sowing Density and Hydrothermal Conditions of the Growing Seasons

“…m −2 ). Similar conclusions are presented by Hussain et al [13], who compared the wheat response to seed rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha −1 . The increase in yield shown in this study resulted from the decreased weed pressure along with an increase in the sowing density of wheat.…”

“…Moreover, there was an increase in generative tillers per plant in Persian wheat and a reduction in number of vegetative tillers per plant in Indian dwarf wheat. In the study by Hussain et al [13] among the yield components, only the number of generative tillers per m −2 increased in proportion to the increase in the grain yield at higher seed rates. According to Wu et al [41], high sowing density as a purposeful agricultural practice increases yields, reduces weed infestation and increases sustainability by increasing biomass and soil cover during the growing season of the plants, which reduces nutrient loss and erosion.…”

“…The number of generative shoots usually increases with an increase in sowing density [12,16], but the number of grains per spike may decrease [8,17], as well as 1000-grain weight [8,9]. However, another study has shown no effect of density on the number of grains per spike or 1000-grain weight [13]. The relationship between plant density and yield is not directly proportional due to the plasticity of the wheat plant (the ability of the crop to sustain yield by changing yield components) [16].…”

Natural farming

“…Around 18.4-23.4% lower weed density and biomass were observed under criss-cross sowed wheat crop compared to a line-sown crop using 100 kg seed ha-1. 37 Chhokar et al (2017) 16 found a 2.4% higher yield with reduced weed infestation under criss-cross sowing than conventional line sowing. Criss-cross wheat sowing at 22.5 cm row spacing can manage the weeds equal to the 15 cm row spacing unidirectional sowing, but yield remained 5% greater in the criss-cross way of sowing.…”