Evaluating the performance of wheat cultivars under late sown conditions

Delay in wheat sowing in rice-wheat cropping system is perhaps the one of the major factors responsible for low crop yield. This reduction in yield is due to the sub-optimal temperature during the germination, stand establishment and supra-optimal during the reproductive growth. In this study, performance of wheat cultivars (viz. Lasani-2008, Faisalabad-2008, Shafaq-2006, Sahar-2006 & Inqlab-91) sown on November 10 and December 10 was evaluated. Crop emergence was impaired when sowing was delayed owing to low temperature prevailing during stand establishment, which resulted in poor stand establishment and reduced the number of productive tillers and ultimately the final yield. With delay in planting, high temperature (32-39°C) at reproductive stage during March and April reduced the patterns of dry matter accumulation as was evident from decrease yield related traits and the final yield. Nonetheless an increase in grain protein contents was observed in late sown crop. To conclude cultivar Inqlab-91 ontogenically being more plastic performed well in late sown conditions; nonetheless cultivar Faisalabad-2008 was at the top when planted timely.