Thursday, 10 November 2005 - 10:30 AM
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Spring Wheat Response to Row Spacing and Plant Density in Central Montana.

Chengci Chen, Montana State University, Central Agricultural Research Center, HC90 Box20, Moccasin, MT 59462

Plant growth and development are limited by plant growth resources, such as light, temperature, water, and nitrogen in the northern Great Plains. Plant development and resource use efficiency may be improved by manipulating row space, plant density, and nitrogen (N) application. A three-year study was conducted at the Central Agricultural Research Center of Montana State University to investigate row spacing, plant density, and split-application of N effects on main stem and tiller development, and biomass and grain yields. Row spacing significantly affected spring wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) biomass and grain yield; the narrow row spacing (15 cm) treatment received a greater yield (3010 kg ha-1) than the wide row spacing (30 cm, 2650 kg ha-1). Split-application of N did not significantly affected grain yield. Plant density less than 215 plants m-2 significantly reduced grain yield, but there was no significant difference in yield when the plant density changed from 215 to 430 plants m-2. The number of tillers that bear heads reduced from 3.5 to 0.8 when the plant density increased from 108 to 430 plants m-2, and the narrow row spacing had more head-bearing tillers than the wide row spacing. Grain protein content and soil residual nitrate after harvest were also analyzed in the study. Digital images taken at different growth stages in the field were analyzed and related to leaf area and biomass measured in the laboratory.

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