Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced by Water Stress, Sowing Date and Cultivar in Sokoto, Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

doi:10.4236/ajps.2013.412A3015

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American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2013, 4, 122-130

Published Online December 2013 (http://www.scirp.org/journal/ajps)

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2013.4.12A3015

Open Access AJPS

Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced

by Water Stress, Sowing Date and Cultivar in Sokoto,

Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

Mohammed Bello Sokoto1*, Agit Singh2

1Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; 2School of Biosciences, Fac-

ulty of Science, The University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.

Email: *[email protected]

Received October 7th, 2013; revised November 26th, 2013; accepted December 16th, 2013

tion License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted during 2009/10 and 2010/2011 dry seasons at the Fadama Teaching and Research

Farm of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria (latitude 13˚01'N;

longitude 5˚15'E, altitude of 350 m above sea level) to study the effect of water stress, sowing date and cultivar on yield

and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The treatments consisted of factorial combination of water stress

at three critical growth stages which was imposed by withholding water at tillering, flowering, grain filling and control

(no stress), four sowing dates (21st November, 5th December, 19th December and 2nd January) and two bread wheat cul-

tivar (Star 11 TR 77173/SLM and Kuaz/Weaver), laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Water stress and

date of sowing were assigned to the main-plot, while variety was assigned to the sub-plots. Result revealed that water

stress at tillering significantly reduced spike length and grains per spike. Whereas, water stress at flowering and grain

filling significantly reduced 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. Results also indicated significant (P <

0.05) effect of sowing date on length of spike, spikelets per spike, grains per spike and grain yield. Early sown wheat

significantly differed from the late sown wheat in all parameters measured. Yield and yield components decreased with

delay in sowing date and it was highest at 21st November and 5th December and lowest at 19th December and 2nd Janu-

ary, therefore wheat should be sown in November or at least first week of December in this area and other area with

similar climate. Variety had significant effect on spike per m−2, grain yield and harvest index. Water stress at flowering

and grain filling should be avoided as they are the most critical growth stages in yield determination in wheat, because

plants cannot recover, while delay in sowing resulted in reduction in yield and yield components. Star II TR

77173/SLM is therefore recommended for the area.

Keywords: Yield; Yield Components; Bread Wheat; Water Stress; Sowing Date Cultivar; Sudan Savanna

1. Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) belongs to the tribe Triti-

ceae which is one of the largest and most important tribes

in the Poaceae family [1]. It is grown on 200 million

hectares with an average total production of 600 million

metric tons. Global average yield is around 2.7 t·ha−1

with high variability among countries and regions. The

highest average yields are obtained in Western Europe,

with more than 8 t·ha−1, in contrast to less than 1 t·ha−1 in

countries in Central/West Asia and North Africa [2]. Ni-

gerian production currently stands at 100,000 tonnes

from 95,000 hectares with an average yield of 1.05 t·ha−1

[3]; this is far below that of Germany (7.9 tons·ha−1),

France (6.6 tons·ha−1) and Egypt (6.4 tons·ha−1) [4].

Wheat contributes about 60% of daily protein require-

ment and more calories to world diet than any other food

crop [5].

Nigeria is currently the second largest export destina-

tion for USA wheat [3,6] reported that food security in

the world is challenged by increasing food demand and

threatened by declining water availability. Wheat pro-

duction has been shown to be limited by a number of

factors such as moisture stress [7,8], variety and weed [9];

soil fertility and date of sowing [8,10] observed that con-

*Corresponding author.

Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced by Water Stress,

Sowing Date and Cultivar in Sokoto, Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

123

tinual heat stress affects approximately 7 million hectares

of wheat in developing countries, whereas terminal heat

stress is a problem in 40% of the temperate environments

that encompass 36 million hectares.

Wheat is an important cereal crop and serves as a sta-

ple food in many countries of the world [7]. With human

population expected to reach 8.3 billion by 2025, coupled

with continuous deterioration and losses of agricultural

lands, it has become imperative to have crop varieties of

higher yielding and good quality and this ought to be

achieved to feed the billions of human population. [8,11]

observed that supply of irrigation water at different stag-

es of plant growth plays a vital roles in boosting yield per

unit area; the authors further observed that optimum

sowing date plays an important role on yield of wheat.

Currently, some newly developed wheat varieties have

been introduced into the country from CIMMYT, Mex-

ico. These varieties need to be evaluated for their re-

sponse to local conditions, particularly heat tolerance

[12]. This is important in the Sudan savanna where high

temperatures at the end of the dry season which coincides

with grain filling stage of wheat are common features

and impediment to good wheat crop performance. [13]

observed that higher productivity of wheat in USA was

due to more favorable environmental condition which

includes temperature and moisture.

The objectives of the study are to determine the effect

of water stress at critical growth stages on the productiv-

ity of two wheat varieties, so that farmers could save

irrigation (which is expensive) with the knowledge of

critical growth stages, determine the effect of sowing

date on yield and yield components of two wheat culti-

vars to enable the farmers to know the optimum sowing

date for the newly introduced cultivars and determine the

most suitable wheat cultivar for farmers in Sokoto and

other areas with similar conditions.

2. Materials and Methods

The trials were conducted during the 2009/2010 and

2010/2011 dry seasons at the Fadama Teaching and Re-

search Farm, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto,

(Latitude 13˚01'N. longitude 15˚13'E) at Kwalkwalawa

village in Sokoto. The farm is located within the Sudan

Savanna Zone of Nigeria [14]. The area has a long dry

season that is characterized by cool dry air during har-

mattan from November to February and hot dry air dur-

ing hot season from March to May [15]. The soil is hy-

dromorphic that is seasonally flooded during rainy sea-

son. The area was previously used for the cultivation of

vegetables and cereals crops. Prior to sowing, soil sam-

ples were collected from nine randomly selected points

within the experimental site at 0 - 30 cm depth using soil

auger. The samples were bulked to form a composite

sample and sub-samples about 200 g were collected us-

ing coning and quatering method. The samples were air-

dried, grounded, sieved and analyzed for physical and

chemical properties.

The treatments consisted of factorial combinations of

water stress at three critical growth stages which was

imposed by withholding water at tillering, flowering,

grain filling and control (no stress), four sowing dates

(21st November, 5th December, 19th December and 2nd

January) and two heat tolerant wheat varieties (Star 11

TR 77173/SLM and Kuaz/Weaver), laid out in a split

plot design with three replications. Water stress and date

of sowing were assigned to the main-plot, while variety

was assigned to sub-plots.

The land was cleared, ploughed, harrowed, leveled,

which was followed by construction of basins and water

channels. Gross plot size was 3 m × 3 m (9 m2) while the

net plot was (4.5 m2). One meter (1 m) lee-way was left

between blocks and 0.5 m between plots. The seeds were

treated with Apron star 42 WS (20% w/w thiamethoxam,

20% w/w metalaxyl-M and 2% w/w difenoconazole) at

the rate of 10 g per 4 kg of seed before sowing. The seeds

were sown by hand drilling at 20 cm intra-row spacing at 2

- 3 cm depth and at the rate of 120 kg·ha−1. The date of

sowing was as prescribed by the treatments. The method

of irrigation used was check basin irrigation; water was

applied to soil saturation at 5 days interval. Weeds were

controlled manually with hoe at 3 and 6 WAS to ensure

weed free plots. Fertilizer was broadcasted at the rec-

ommended rate of 120, 60 and 60 kg N, P2O5 and K2O

per ha−1, respectively. Half of nitrogen and full dose of

phosphorous and potassium was worked in to the soil

during seedbed preparation using NPK 15:15:15: while,

the second dose of 60 kg N ha−1 was applied prior to til-

lering using urea (46% N) as source of nitrogen. Birds

were controlled by scaring while rodents were controlled

by using baits and traps. No disease out break was recorded.

The crop was manually harvested from the net plot at

physiological maturity using sickles when 50% of the

peduncles had turned brown. The plants were cut at ground

level and sun dried for a period of 4 days. The spikes

were beaten out with sticks to expose the grain, which

was winnowed in open air with the help of wind current.

Data was collected on length of spike, number of spikelets

per spike, number of grains per spike and grain yield.

The data collected were subjected to analysis of vari-

ance (ANOVA) using SAS [16] computer package.

Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) was used

for means separation.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Physical and Chemical Properties of

the Experimental Site

The soil of the experimental area was sandy loam using

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Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced by Water Stress,

Sowing Date and Cultivar in Sokoto, Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

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the USDA textural triangle, slightly acidic, very low N

content, low organic carbon content extremely low

available P content; low Ca values, medium Mg, high K,

moderate Na and low CEC. Meteorological data of the

experimental site showed that the relative humidity

ranged from 26% - 39% in the dry season. Minimum

temperature ranged between 18˚C to 29˚C and Maximum

temperature ranged from 30˚C to 42˚C from November

to April and, wind speed ranged between 1.9 to 5 m/s

(Sokoto Energy Research Center) [17]. The meteoro-

logical data is a typical of Sudan Savannah as reported

by Davis [15] and [18] who reported relative humidity of

21 - 47 during the harmattan and temperature ranged of

17 - 40 from November to April.

3.2. Length of Spike

The effect of water stress and sowing date on length of

spike of two bread wheat varieties in 2009/10 and

2010/11 dry seasons and combined is presented in Tab le

1. In both seasons and combined the result indicated that

water stress at tillering resulted in shorter spikes than

water stress at flowering, grain filling or the no stress

control which are statistically (p < 0.05) similar. The

shorter spikes observed at stress at tillering could be as a

result of water stress imposed at that stage which resulted

to shorter plants. In wheat there is correlation between

incoming radiation and photosynthates available for

spike growth [19]. Water stress retards photosynthasis

and translocation of photosynthates to spike growth. [20]

also observed reduction of spike length under water

stress.

The effect of sowing date on length of spike is pre-

sented in Table 1. In both seasons and combined, length

of spike decreased with delay in sowing from 21st No-

vember to 2nd January. Plants sown on 19th December

and 2nd January are statistically similar with shorter spike

than plants sown on 21st November and 5th December

which were statistically (p < 0.05) similar with longer

spike. Decreased in spike length observed at the two late

sowing dates could be as a result of delay in sowing in

those treatments. In late sowing small heads are formed

due to shortened growing period, the result is not in

agreement with that of [21] who reported that spike

length is not affected by sowing date.

The effect of variety on length of spike is presented in

Table 1. In both seasons and combined, variety had no

significant difference in length of spike.

3.3. Number of Spikelets per Spike

The effect of water stress and sowing date on spikelets

per spike of two bread wheat varieties in 2009/10 and

2010/11 dry seasons and combined is presented in Tab le

2. In both seasons and combined, the result indicated that

Table 1. Effects of water stress, sowing date and variety on

length of spike of bread wheat in 2009/10, 2010/11 dry sea-

sons and combined at Sokoto.

Length of spike (cm)

Treatment

2009/10 2010/11 Combined

Water stress

Tillering 11.44b 14.20b 12.82b

Flowering 12.02a 15.03a 13.52a

Grain filling 12.12a 15.12a 13.62a

Control 12.17a 15.10a 13.67a

Significance * * *

SE± 0.049 0.149 0.094

Sowing date

21st November 12.57a 15.47a 14.02a

5th December 12.50a 15.46a 13.98a

19th December 11.47b 14.41b 12.94b

2nd January 11.21b 14.18b 12.70b

Significance * * *

SE± 0.106 0.097 0.101

Variety

Star II TR77173/SLM11.97 14.92 13.45

Kauz/Weaver 11.90 14.84 13.37

Significance Ns Ns Ns

SE± 0.096 0.098 0.051

Interaction

S X D Ns * *

S X V Ns Ns Ns

D X V Ns * *

S X D X V Ns Ns Ns

Means in a column and treatment group followed by same letters are not

significantly different using DNMRT at 5% level. NS = Not significant, *=

significant at 5% level.

water stress at tillering and flowering resulted in fewer

number of spikelets per spike than water stress at grain

filling or the no stress control which are statistically sim-

ilar with higher number of spikelets per spike. The fewer

number of spikelets per spike observed could be as a

result of water stress imposed at tillering and flowering,

due to fewer spikelets primordial being formed during

tillering or may be attributed to floret death at the termi-

nal and basal end of the spike during stem extension.

This finding is in line with that of [20] reported de-

creased in spikelets per spike as a result of water stress.

The effect of sowing date on number of spikelets per

spike is presented in Tab le 2. In both seasons and com-

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Table 2. Effects of water stress, sowing date and variety on

number of spikelets per spike of bread wheat in 2009/10

and 2010/11 dry seasons and combined at Sokoto.

Number of spikelets per spike

Treatment

2009/10 2010/11 Combined

Water stress

Tillering 30.11b 31.51b 30.81b

Flowering 31.36b 33.65b 32.50b

Grain filling 35.76a 37.91a 36.84a

Control 38.59a 40.75a 39.67a

Significance * * *

SE± 1.004 1.175 1.077

Sowing date

21st November 42.34a 44.50a 43.42a

5th December 43.36a 45.54a 44.45a

19th December 26.73b 28.57b 27.65b

2nd January 23.38b 25.22b 24.30b

Significance * * *

SE± 3.092 3.229 3.160

Variety

Star II TR77173/SLM 34.36 36.35 35.35a

Kauz/Weaver 33.55 35.56 34.55b

Significance Ns Ns *

SE± 0.476 0.477 0.244

Interaction

S X D Ns * *

S X V Ns * *

D X V Ns * *

S X D X V Ns Ns Ns

Means in a column and treatment group followed by same letters are not

significantly different using DNMRT at 5% level. NS = Not significant, *=

significant at 5% level.

bined, spikelets per spike decreased with delay in sowing

from 21st November to 2nd January. Plants sown on 19th

December and 2nd January are statistically (p < 0.05)

similar with fewer spikelets per spike than plants sown

on 21st November and 5th December which were statisti-

cally similar with higher spikelets per spike. Decrease in

number of spikelets per spike could be as a result of de-

lay in sowing in late sown plants, couple with higher

temperature experienced in the month of March and

April, photosynthesis had a broad temperature optimum

from 20˚C to 30˚C with photosynthesis and translocation

declining rapidly at temperatures above 30˚C [22]. [23]

observed that delayed sowing decreased the number of

spikelets per spike.

The effect of variety on number of spikelets per spike

is not significant in both seasons (Table 2). However, in

the combined analysis Star II TR 77173/SLM showed

higher number of spikelets per spike than Kauz/Weaver.

Significant varietal differences indicate that cultivars

responded differently.

3.4. Number of Grains per Spike

The effect of water stress and sowing date on number of

grains per spike of two bread wheat varieties in 2009/10

and 2010/11 dry seasons and combined is presented in

Table 3. In 2010/11 dry season and combined the result

Table 3. Effects of water stress, sowing date and variety on

number of grains per spike of bread wheat in 2009/10,

2010/11 dry seasons and combined at Sokoto.

Number of grains per spike

Treatment

2009/10 2010/11 Combined

Water stress

Tillering 32.06 39.89a 35.98ab

Flowering 32.22 32.37b 32.29b

Grain filling 34.79 41.40a 38.10a

Control 35.76 39.65a 37.70a

Significance Ns * *

SE± 1.729 0.970 1.298

Sowing date

21st November 37.51 39.50a 38.51a

5th December 36.63 39.78a 38.21ab

19th December 31.22 35.50b 33.36b

2nd January 29.47 35.51b 32.49b

Significance Ns * *

SE± 2.310 1.008 1.430

Variety

Star II TR77173/SLM34.27 38.83 36.55

Kauz/Weaver 33.15 37.83 35.49

Significance Ns Ns Ns

SE± 0.734 0.595 0.535

Interaction

S X D Ns * *

S X V Ns * *

D X V Ns * *

S X D X V Ns Ns Ns

Means in a column and treatment group followed by same letters are not

significantly different using DNMRT at 5% level. NS = Not significant, *=

significant at 5% level.

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Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced by Water Stress,

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Open Access AJPS

126

indicated that water stress at flowering resulted in fewer

number of grains per spike than water stress at tillering,

grain filling or the no stress control which are statistically

(p < 0.05) similar. However in 2009/10 dry season water

stress had no effect on number of grains per spike. The

fewer number of grains per spike observed in 2010/11

dry season could be as a result of water stress at flower-

ing which could affect pollen formation and sterility.

Because number of flowers and grains decrease with

water stress due to decrease in photosynthesis and trans-

location. [24] observed that pollen formation and fertili-

zation can be seriously affected under water stress.

The effect of sowing date on number of grains per

spike is presented in Tab le 3. In 2010/11 dry season and

combined, number of grains per spike decreased with

delay. Plants sown on 19th December and 2nd January are

statistically similar with fewer number of grains per

spike than plants sown on 21st November and 5th De-

cember which were statistically (p < 0.05) similar with

higher number of grains per spike. In 2009/10 water

stress did not affect number of grains per spike. De-

creased in number of grains per spike at the two late

sown plants could be as a result short growing season,

high temperature and inappropriate prevailing weather

condition during the grain filling period in late planted

crops. [25] reported that early planting resulted in maxi-

mum yield of grains per spike.

3.5. Grain Yield

The effect of water stress and sowing date on grain yield

of two bread wheat varieties in 2009/10 and 2010/11 dry

seasons and combined is presented in Table 4. Water

Table 4. Effects of water stress, sowing date and variety on grain yield of bread wheat in 2009/10, 2010/11 dry seasons and

combined at Sokoto.

Grain yield (t·ha−1)

Treatment

2009/10 2010/11 Combined % Yield decrease in combined

Water stress

Tillering 2.27b 3.80a 3.03a 16.50

Flowering 1.73c 3.06b 2.40b 34.00

Grain filling 2.26b 3.20b 2.73b 25.00

Control 2.97a 4.30a 3.63a

Significance * * *

SE± 0.095 0.268 0.243

Sowing date

21st November 3.38a 4.62a 4.00a

5th December 2.75a 3.71b 3.23b 19.25

19th December 1.48b 3.31b 2.39c 40.25

2nd January 1.52b 3.16b 2.34c 41.50

Significance * * *

SE± 0.188 0.180 0.144

Variety

Star II TR77173/SLM 2.60a 4.10a 3.35a

Kauz/Weaver 1.96b 3.30b 2.63b

Significance * * *

SE± 0.074 0.145 0.098

Interaction

S X D * * *

S X V Ns * *

D X V * * *

S X D X V Ns Ns Ns

Means in a column and treatment group followed by same letters are not significantly different using DNMRT at 5% level. NS = Not significant, *= significant

at 5% level.

Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced by Water Stress,

Sowing Date and Cultivar in Sokoto, Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

127

stress resulted to significant (p < 0.05) reduction in grain

yield. In 2009/10 dry season the highest grain yield was

obtained from control (the unstressed) and the lowest

grain yield was from water stress at flowering. In 2010/

11 dry season and combined water stress at flowering

and grain filling resulted to significant reduction in grain

yield. The differences between 2009/10 dry season and

2010/11 dry season in terms of grain yield may be as a

result of relatively higher fertility status of the experi-

mental area in 2010/11 dry season, better environmental

conditions particularly relatively lower temperature and

longer grain filling period in 2010/11 dry season. The

grain filling period in 2009/10 dry season was as fallows:

21st November (24 days), 5th December (21 days), 19th

December (16 days) and 2nd January (16 days). In 2010/

11 grain filling period was longer with 21st November

having 32 days, 5th December (30 days), 19th December

(30 days) and 2nd January (23 days), the longer the grain

filling period the longer the assimilate production and

transfer. Similarly relatively higher LAI, NAR, CGR,

and 1000-grain weight in 2010/11 dry season as com-

pared to 2009/10 dry season could be responsible for the

variation.

Yield reduction due to water stress could be as a result

of reduction in photosynthesis and translocation resulting

to decrease in spikelets per spike, grain per spike and

1000-grain weight. In the combined analysis yield reduc-

tion of 16.50%, 34.00% and 25.00% was recorded as a

result of water stress at tillering, flowering and grain fill-

ing respectively.

There was a linear relationship between available wa-

ter and yield, where reduction in available water limits

evapotranspiration and consequently reduced yield, as

reported by several researchers [26]. Yield enhancement

due to irrigation was associated to significant increases in

number of tillers and spikes per m−2, number of grain per

spike and thousand kernel weights. This finding is simi-

lar to that of [7] in Pakistan who observed that irrigation

is a component of production which significantly affect

yield of wheat. Flowering period is reported to be the

most sensitive to water deficit, because pollen formation

and fertilization can be seriously affected under heavy

water stress resulting to reduction in yield largely re-

sulted from the reduction in fertile panicle number and

filled grain percentage. The loss in yield due to water

deficits during the flowering period cannot be recovered

by providing adequate water supply during the later

growth stage [24].

The effect of sowing date on grain yield is presented in

Table 4. In both seasons and combined, grain yield de-

creased with delay in sowing from 21st November to 2nd

January. Plants sown on 19th December and 2nd January

are statistically (p < 0.05) similar with lower grain yield

than plants sown on 21st November and 5th December

which were statistically similar with higher grain yield in

2009/10 dry season. In 2010/11 dry season and combined

grain yield decreased with delay in sowing from 21st

November to 2nd January (Tabl e 4). All phases of plant

growth, tillering, jointing, flowering, grain filling and

yield components such as spike length, spikelets per

spike, number of grain per spike and 1000-grain weight

were adversely affected by delay in sowing and thus

grain yield. In the combined analysis yield reduction of

19.25%, 40.25% and 41.50% was recorded as a result of

delay in sowing from 21st November to 5th December,

19th December and 2nd January respectively. Grain yield

varied significantly during the two years of experimenta-

tion grain yield in 2010/11 was higher than the previous

year. The yield difference between years might be attrib-

uted to variable temperature, leading to better leaf area

duration, average crop growth rate and long grain filling

period during 2nd year of experimentation, which is simi-

lar to the finding of [5,27] observed that the duration of

grain filling in cereals (wheat) is determined by tem-

perature. [28] reported that an increase in 10˚C can cause

decrease of 4 mg in grain weight. [29] observed that the

penalty in terms of crop yield associated with delayed

planting is in the order of 1 percent yield loss per day.

The effect of variety on grain yield is presented in Ta-

ble 4. In both seasons and combined Star II TR 77173

differed from Kauz/Weaver with higher grain yield. This

could be as results of better LAI, NAR, CGR and yield

component exhibited by Star II TR 77173. The different

responses of wheat varieties in respect of the yield and

yield components examined could be due to their varied

genetic composition and adaptation to the soil and cli-

matic conditions [30]. Similarly previous studies have

indicated that there were significant differences in grain

yield among wheat varieties [31].

The interaction between water stress and sowing date

on grain yield in 2009/10, 2010/11 dry seasons and com-

bined indicated that delay in sowing irrespective of water

stress condition decreased grain yield. Regardless of

sowing date water stress at flowering and grain filling

resulted to decrease in grain yield (Table 5). The loss in

yield due to water deficits during the flowering period

cannot be recovered by providing adequate water supply

during the later growth stage [24]. The grain yield attrib-

utes were increased to maximum under normal irrigation,

but reduced significantly under water stress [32].

The interaction between water stress and variety on

grain yield in 2010/11 and combined is presented in Ta-

ble 6. The result indicated that water stress at flowering

and grain filling resulted to lower grain yield. Regardless

of water stress the two varieties are statistically similar,

However at control (unstress) Star II TR 77173/SLM

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significantly differed from Kauz/Weaver. This is an in-

dication that each cultivar responded differently to water

stress. The finding is similar to that of [33].

The interaction between sowing date and variety on

grain yield in 2009/10, 2010/11 dry seasons and com-

bined were significant (Table 7). The result indicated

that delay in sowing from 21st November to 2nd January

decreased grain yield both cultivars. 21st November

plants were higher in grain yield than the other late sow-

ing dates. However regardless of sowing date the two

varieties are statistically similar at. But at 21st November

and 5th December sowing dates Star II TR 77173/SLM

differed from Kauz/Weaver with higher yield in both

season and combined. Significant interaction between

sowing date and variety is an indication that cultivars

were not the same at different sowing date. The finding is

similar to that of [33].

4. Conclusion

Water stress at flowering and grain filling should be

Table 5. Interaction between water stress and sowing date

on grain yield t·ha−1 in 2009/10, 2010/11 dry seasons and

combined at Sokoto.

Grain yield (t·ha−1)

Water stress 21st

November

5th

December

2nd

January

2009/10

Tillering 3.14b 2.78bcd 1.55efg 1.21fg

Flowering 2.95bc 2.23cde 0.89g 0.85g

Grain filling 2.40b-e 2.97bc 1.70efg 1.99def

Control 5.03a 3.03bc 1.78ef 2.04def

SE± 8.154

2010/11

Tillering 4.76a-c 3.85ab 3.40c-f 3.91b-e

Flowering 3.79b-f 2.27f 2.66d-f 3.53c-f

Grain filling 4.18b-d 3.53cf 3.16b-d 2.55ef

Control 5.74a 5.18ab 4.03b-d 2.65d-f

SE± 0.537

Combined

Tillering 3.95ab 3.31b 2.47cg 2.56c-g

Flowering 3.37b-f 2.25efg 1.77g 2.19g

Grain filling 3.29cd 3.25b-f 2.43d-f 2.27efg

Control 5.39a 4.10a 2.90b-g 2.34efg

SE± 0.2987

Means followed by same letters are not significantly different using

DNMRT at 5% level of probability.

Table 6. Interaction between water stress and variety on

grain yield t·ha−1 in 2010/11 dry season and combined at

Sokoto.

Grain yield t·ha−1

Water stress

Star II TR 77173/SLM Kauz/ Weaver

2010/11

Tillering 4.63a 3.35b

Flowering 3.26b 2.87b

Grain filling3.34b 3.26b

Control 4.78a 3.70ab

SE ± 0.291

Combined

Tillering 3.47ab 2.86bc

Flowering 2.65bc 2.14c

Grain filling3.14b 2.62bc

Control 4.15a 2.89bc

SE± 0.196

Means followed by same letters are not significantly different using

DNMRT at 5% level of probability.

Table 7. Interaction between sowing date and variety on

grain yield t·ha−1 in 2009/10, 2010/11 dry seasons and com-

bined at Sokoto.

Variety

Sowing date

Star II TR 77713/SLM Kauz/Weaver

2009/10

21st November 4.02a 2.74bc

5th December 3.17b 2.33cd

19th December 1.47e 1.48e

2nd January 1.76e 1.28e

SE± 0.243

2010/11

21st November 5.08a 4.15abc

5th December 4.22ab 3.20bcd

19th December 3.78bcd 2.84d

2nd January 3.33bcd 2.99cd

SE± 0.243

Combined

21st November 4.55a 3.45bc

5th December 3.69b 2.77cd

19th December 2.63d 2.16d

2nd January 2.54d 2.14d

SE± 0.1963

Means followed by same letters are not significantly different using

DNMRT at 5% level of probability.

Open Access AJPS

Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced by Water Stress,

Sowing Date and Cultivar in Sokoto, Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

129

avoided as they are the most critical growth stages in

yield determination in wheat, because plants cannot re-

cover, while delay in sowing resulted in reduction in

yield and yield components. Star II TR 77173/SLM is

therefore recommended for the area.

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