Effect of varying seeding date on crop development, yield and yield components in canaryseed

Abstract

The effects of varying seeding date on crop development, yield and yield components in canaryseed (Phalaris canariensis L.) have not been previously reported. In 1996 and 1997, a seeding date study was conducted at Swift Current, SK, which included barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), canaryseed and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) sown at three dates in separate tilled fallow and untilled wheat stubble sites. Terminal summer drought occurred in both years of this experiment. Cumulative degree days (DD0) to reach maturity did not differ significantly among seeding dates for barley, or for wheat in 1997, while cumulative degree days to reach maturity decreased by 60 DD0 with delayed seeding for wheat in 1996. In contrast, cumulative degree days to reach maturity in canaryseed increased by 70 DD0 in 1996 and by 90 DD0 in 1997 with delayed seeding. Delaying seeding from the early to the late date decreased canaryseed yield by 29%, while barley and wheat yields decreased only 14 and 11%, respectively. Panicle density in canaryseed was reduced 24% between the early and late seeding dates, while barley and wheat spike densities were reduced only 2 and 6%, respectively. The large yield reduction in canaryseed was likely due to slowed crop development with delayed seeding, which intensified late-season drought stress. The slowed crop development with delay in seeding date in canaryseed may be due to vernalization requirement in this crop. In the semiarid prairie region, canaryseed should be seeded early to maintain a rapid crop development rate to minimize yield loss due to drought stress. Key words: Canaryseed, Phalaris canariensis L., seeding date, drought stress