Abstract

Optimization of the use of agricultural inputs and the efficient management of the wheat crop can increase the yield potential per unit area. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of a wheat cultivar in function of different spacing and sowing densities in two agricultural years. The experiment was performed during the 2010 and 2011 agricultural years.  The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in a factorial 3 x 4. The first factor was comprised of three spacings (13, 17 and 21 cm between rows), and the second factor consisted of four sowing densities (200, 300, 400 and 500 viable seeds m²). The results obtained showed that the lowest densities evaluated (200 and 300 seeds m²) promoted greater number of spikelets per ear, length of ears, number of grains in 10 ears and weight of one hundred grains, as well as, a smaller number of unviable tillers per m². The shortest spacings evaluated (13 and 17 cm) promoted greater mass of spikes per m² and greater accumulation of dry mass of plants. The grain yield and hectoliter weight were not influenced by the density and spacing. The yield was higher in the year, 2011 as compared to 2010.

Key words: Triticum aestivum, competition between plants, spatial distribution of plants.