Optimizing row spacing in wheat cultivars differing in tillering and stature for higher productivity

Five wheat cultivars differing in tillering capacity and stature, Sahar-2006 (SH-06) (tall and low tillering), Faisalabad-2008 (FSD-08) (tall and low tillering), Lassani-2008 (LS-08) (medium stature and low tillering), Abdulstar-2002 (AS-02) (medium stature and high tillering) and Triple dwarf-1 (TD-1) (dwarf and low tillering), were planted in 10-, 20- and 30-cm spaced rows in a two-year study with same plant density. Higher grain yield in 20-cm spaced rows during both years and 30-cm spaced rows during the first year of the study in tall and low tillering wheat cultivars was attributed to more productive tillers, grains per spike and 1000-grain weight. However, the higher number of productive tillers resulted in better grain yield of the dwarf and low tillering cultivar under narrow row spacing. Higher leaf area index and crop growth rate were observed in 20- and 30-cm spaced rows 90 days after sowing, thereafter a drastic decrease was observed in 30-cm spaced rows. In conclusion, for harvesting maximum wheat productivity, tall and low tillering cultivars should be planted in 20-cm spaced rows. Medium stature and low tillering cultivars may be planted in 20 or 30-cm spaced rows, whereas low tillering dwarf cultivars should be planted in 10-cm spaced rows.