The best planting date for wheat in saline and non-saline conditions of Yazd province based to grain yield and water use efficiency

To investigate the effect of sowing date and salinity on spike sterility, yield and yield components of two wheat cultivars, a field experiment was conducted at Sadouq Salinity Research Farm, National Salinity Research Center during 2008-2010. The experiment was arranged as split-split plot based on RCBD with three replications. Sowing dates (planting at 23 Oct., 6 Nov., 21 Nov. and 6 Dec.), salinity treatments (ECiw= 2 & 10 dS/m) and cultivars (Bam & Marvdasht) were main, sub and sub sub plots, respectively. Results showed that Bam cultivar produced more grain yield than Marvdasht in all planting dates. Mean grain yield of Bam and Marvdasht in non-saline condition were 624.57 and 560.89 g.m-2 and in saline condition were 539.35 and 487.34 g.m-2, respectively. Grain yield for Bam and Marvdasht cultivars of planting dates at 23 Oct., 6 Nov., 21 Nov. were significantly more than 6 Dec. Delay in sowing date until 6 Dec. reduced wheat grain yield by 30 percent. Mean wheat grain yield were 562.84, 607.15, 614.78 and 423.49 g.m-2 for sowing date at 23 Oct., 6 Nov., 21 Nov. and 6 Dec., respectively. Water use efficiencies were 0.75, 0.85, 0.90 and 0.62 Kg.m-3 for sowing date at 23 Oct., 6 Nov., 21 Nov. and 6 Dec., respectively. In addition the best planting date for wheat in central region of Yazd province is early November, regardless to soil salinity rate.