Observations on effect of seeding pattern on water-use efficiency of durum wheat in semi-arid areas of Morocco

Abstract

In semi-arid areas of Morocco, soil evaporation is rapid during early growth period of durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum cv. group durum). Experiments were conducted in the field during 1995–1996 and 1996–1997 to see if early shading of soil through the use of narrow row spacing and adequate plant population would help conserve water and hence increase wheat grain yield and water-use efficiency. Three seeding rates, 200, 300 and 400 kernels m −2 and two distances between rows, 24 cm (check) and 12 cm were tested in a split-plot design. Results revealed that grain yield, total above-ground dry matter production and water-use efficiency were increased when row spacing was reduced. The effect of seeding rate was significant only in 1995–1996 where the highest plant population gave the lowest yield. Actual evapotranspiration measured for the whole growing season was not affected by any treatment. It appears that in semi-arid areas of Morocco, grain yield and water-use efficiency are more related to water use pattern during the growing season than to total evapotranspiration.