Abstract:
Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan are considered arid and rain-fed because of low annual rainfall. Moisture levels in many parts of this zone are deeper causing poor seed germination. To overcome this problem, ten wheat genotypes having variable coleoptile length were evaluated and tested at three sowing depths. Genotypes included in the studies were; NIFA-Insaf, NARC-09, Pakistan-13, Bathoor-2008, Shahkar-2013, Shalkot, AARI-2008, Gandum-1, Tatara and Local Bhakkar. All the genotypes were tested at 5 cm, 10 cm and 15 cm of sowing depths. Studies were carried out in pots having 0.61 m2 area only two lifesaving irrigations with measured quantity of water (two liters) were given to all pots. Genotype NIFA-Insaf, followed by Shahkar-2013 and Shalkot performed best by showing maximum percent germination, highest 1000-grain weight, maximum fertile tillers, maximum grains spike-1, highest biological and grain yield. Results further revealed that sowing at 10 cm depth; the wheat genotypes produced largest number of fertile tillers, grains spike-1 and eventually the enhanced grain yield. Planting wheat at 15 cm of depth adversely affected the yield and all other yield contributing parameters. Current findings found that wheat variety NIFA-Insaf by having longer coleoptile length, performed best at deeper sowing with low moisture availability.
Keywords:
Yield components
,
Grain Yield
,
Wheat genotypes
,
Coleoptile length
,
Sowing depth