Abstract
Crop management should be determined to reintroduce ancient wheat. This study aimed to determine: i. the response of the yield of ancient wheat on sowing density; ii. the impact of sowing density on plant health, weed infestation and pest occurrence. Field experiments were carried out in Poland, on three organic farms. The factors were: (1) wheat species: Persian wheat (Triticum persicum Vav.) and Indian dwarf wheat (T. sphaerococcum Perc.), (2) sowing density (400, 500, and 600 grains m−2). Increasing the sowing density of T. sphaerococcum from 400 to 600 grains m−2 increases the grain yield and reduces the pest pressure (Oulema spp. and Aphididae). Sowing densities did not affect the severity of powdery mildew at stem elongation as well as root rot and eyespot at the development of fruit. At the highest sowing density, the leaf area with tan spot symptoms was the highest. The eyespot symptoms occurred more frequently and the damaged plant surface caused by Oulema spp. was larger on T. sphaerococcum. Persian wheat turned out to be more susceptible to weed infestation. Indian dwarf wheat and Persian wheat are useful for organic farming, and the sowing density should be 500 or 600 grains m−2 and 400 grains m−2, respectively.
Highlights
The total organic area in the EU-28 was 13.4 million hectares in 2018
Indian dwarf wheat and Persian wheat are useful for organic farming
For the maximum grain yield, Indian dwarf wheat should be sown at a density of 600 no m−2 and Persian wheat at 400 no m−2
Summary
The total organic area in the EU-28 was 13.4 million hectares in 2018. From 2012 to 2018, the share of a total organic area in the total utilized agricultural area within the EU rose from 5.6% to 7.5%. It is still expected to grow in the coming years. Organic arable land exceeded 6 million ha, which represented. 45.2% of the EU-28 total organic agricultural area in 2018 [1]. The world’s largest organic farming areas are in Australia (43%) and Europe (24%) [2]. The value of the organic product market is the largest in Europe and North America. Organic farming offers an alternative to farms that cannot withstand growing competition on the conventional product market [2]
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