EFFECT OF SEED RATES ON THE AGRO-PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF WHEAT

The effect of different seed rates on agro- physiological traits of wheat varieties was investigated at agronomic research area, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University D.I.Khan. Six wheat varieties viz. Inqilab-91, Bakhtawar-92, Punjab-96, Dera-98, Daman-98 and Raj. were tested using varying seed rates of 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg seed ha-1 under a split plot arrangement during 2000-01. The effect of seed rates was significant on most of agro-physiological traits of tested varieties. Tillers m-2, fresh weight, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, photosynthetic efficiency and protein content were high at higher seed rate of 200 kg ha^-1. Among wheat varieties, Inqilab-91 produced maximum fresh weight, net assimilation rate, photosynthetic efficiency and grain yield. Daman-98 produced more dry weight (9.15 t ha^-1) and protein content (11.40%). Tillers m^-2 (350.4) and maximum crop growth (15.04 g d m^-2) rate was recorded for punjab-96. In interaction, maximum grain yield 6.50 t ha^-1) was produced by Daman-98 with seed rate of 200 kg ha^-1. Daman-98, Inqilab-91 and Bakhtawar-92 produced maximum grain yield at higher seed rate . While Raj produced maximum grain yield of 5.0 t ha^-1 at 50 kg seed ha^-1. Dera-98 gave maximum grain yield of 5.97 t ha^-1 at 100 kg seed ha-1 and Punjab-96 produced maximum grain yield of 5.41 t ha^-1 at seed rate of 150 kg ha^-1.