Effects of planting density and fertilizer application rate on agronomic traits, chlorophyll content, leaf area and yield of wheat Nanmai 618

ObjectiveThe present study explored the optimal planting density and fertilizer application rate for wheat Nanmai 618 in northeast hilly area of Sichuan province,in order to provide reference for formulation of high-yield and high-efficiency cultivation techniques. MethodThe experiment was conducted by using a randomized complete block design with two factors and three levels. Three levels of planting density were: 2.18×106 plant/ha(A1),2.48×106 plant/ha(A2), 2.78×106 plants/ha(A3),three levels of fertilizer application rate were: N 33.0 kg/ha+P 25.7 kg/ha(B1),N 66.0 kg/ha+P 51.3 kg/ha(B2),N 99.0 kg/ha+P 77.0 kg/ha(B3). Related agronomic traits,flag leaf chlorophyll content,leaf area per stem were measured during growing period. Yield of each block was measured seperately at harvest period. ResultAs planting density increased,effective spike per unit area increased,spike rate declined, grain number per spike and 1000 -grain weight decreased to different extent,spike length shortened,yield and harvest index rose, flag leaf chlorophyll content de-creased and leaf area per stem shrank. When fertilization application rate rose, effective spike per unit area increased, spike rate declined, grain number per spike and 1000-grain weight increased to different extent,spike length lengthened, yield and harvest index rose, flag leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area per stem increased. The interaction between plan-ting density and fertilizer application rate had significant effects on effective spike and yield(P<0.01),and effective spike had significant correlation with yield(P<0.05). Based on comprehensive analysis, wheat Nanmai 618 in A2B3 treatment had optimal agronomic traits and photosynthetic properties, and highest yield(5.49×103 kg/ha). ConclusionUnder the experimental conditions in this study,fertilizer application rate of N 99.0 kg/ha+P 77.0 kg/ha and planting density of 2.48× 106 plants/ha is recommended for cultivation of wheat Nanmai 618 in northeast hilly areas of Sichuan.