Winter Wheat Response to Planting Date under Dryland Conditions.

The economic viability of winter wheat production in the semiarid environment of the northern Great Plains  depends on good managemant practices as well as availability of high yielding adapted varieties. Planting date is an important management tool that affects a number factors  including winter survival,  tillers produced by the plant, and final grain yield. A study was conducted over three seasons (2005 to 2007)  to evaluate the response  of eight winter wheat varieties differing in season length and winter hardiness to five planting dates. The results of the study showed a significant reduction in grain yield with delay in planting in all three years. The reduction in yield was mostly due to reduction in number of heads per unit area with delay in planting. Varietal performance varied from year to year depending on environmental conditions. No variety by planting date interactions were detected.