Winter Wheat Yield Response to Wide Rows Varies By Year in the Southern Ohio River Valley

Abstract

Research was conducted for three seasons (2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011) on soft red winter wheat in row widths of 3.75, 7.5, and 15 inches at two locations in the southern Ohio River Valley. Wheat in all row widths was seeded with a small-plot drill at the standard rate of 35 seeds/ft2. A lower seeding rate of 25 seeds/ft2 was compared to the standard seeding rate in 15-inch rows. Three cultivars (‘Beck's 122,’ ‘Branson,’ and ‘Pembroke’) were tested the first two years but there was no interaction with row widths. Only Pembroke was tested in the final season. Wheat yields in 7.5-inch rows were greater than wheat yields in 15-inch rows in one out of three seasons (two out of four environments). Yields of wheat in 3.75- and 7.5-inch rows were not different. The lower seeding rate did not reduce yields in 15-inch rows. Wheat in 15-inch rows had lower test weights in several comparisons. Partial economic returns were $50/acre greater for wheat in 7.5-inch rows in 2008-2009 but no differences were observed in the other two seasons.