RESPONSE OF WHEAT GENOTYPES TO SEED RATES IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

Multi-environment trials on wheat varieties of diversified origin were conducted at Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam (Sindh) and Agriculture Research Institute, Quetta (Balochistan) for two consecutive years (2008-09 and 2009-10). Six wheat varieties were included in the experiment. Three (Sarsabz, Mehran-89, and Kiran-95) were from Sindh and three (Zardana, Sariab-92 and Rasco-2005) from Balochistan. Four seed rates (100, 125, 150 and 175 kg    ha^-1) of each variety were used at each experimental site. The randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement was used with three replications. Overall, application of 125 kg ha^-1 seed rate showed optimistic results as compared to higher or lower seed rates. Variety Mehran performed significantly (P< 0.05) well than rest of the varieties with highest grain yield of 4475 kg ha^-1. The varieties Sarsabz, Kiran-95, Zardana, Rasco-2005 and Sariab-92 ranked 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, respectively in grain yield under Tandojam environment. On the other hand, the yield of Zardana variety was better under Quetta environment. The results showed that at Tandojam vs Quetta the seed index value was 39.84 g vs 36.68 g, grain yield 3713 kg ha^-1 vs 3907 kg ha^-1, respectively. The quality response of varieties revealed that the maximum protein content was recorded in Rasco-2005 (11.35%) under Tandojam environment while the maximum protein content (11.53%) was noted in Mehran-89 under Quetta environment. Under Tandojam environment, varieties of Sindh out yielded the varieties of Balochistan while at Quetta, the Balochistan varieties surpassed in yield to the varieties from Sindh province. Therefore, site specific varieties and agricultural practices should be considered for wheat production.