PERFORMANCE OF SPELT (TRITICUM-SPELTA L) AND WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUML) AT 2 DIFFERENT SEEDING RATES AND NITROGEN LEVELS UNDER CONTRASTINGENVIRONMENTAL-CONDITIONS
A. Ruegger et H. Winzeler, PERFORMANCE OF SPELT (TRITICUM-SPELTA L) AND WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUML) AT 2 DIFFERENT SEEDING RATES AND NITROGEN LEVELS UNDER CONTRASTINGENVIRONMENTAL-CONDITIONS, Journal of agronomy and crop science, 170(5), 1993, pp. 289-295
The aim of this investigation was to obtain information about differen
ces between spelt and wheat in relation to their performance under low
-input conditions. Two spelt varieties (Oberkulmer, Hercule) and two w
heat varieties (Arina, Iena) were grown at two different seeding rates
(S1 = 200; S2 = 400 kernels/m2) and two nitrogen levels (N1 = 80 kg N
/ha; N2 = 110 kg N/ha) at two contrasting locations (Muri: altitude 45
9 m asl; Oberwallestalden: altitude 1011 m asl). No growth regulators
and fungicides were applied. The overall mean for the ''husked'' yield
(grains and glumes) of spelt was not significantly different from the
grain yield of wheat. At the higher site Oberwallestalden however, th
e 'husked' yield of spelt was 10.5 % higher than the grain yield of wh
eat. Although the number of ears per m2 was higher at S2 than at S1, s
pelt and wheat produced a similar yield at both seeding rates (spelt:
S1 = 96 % of S2; wheat: S1 = 95 % of S2) due to the higher single ear
weight at S1. The reaction of spelt and wheat to nitrogen was similar.
The yield was 10 % higher at N2 than at N1 for both species. The perf
ormance of spelt under low-input conditions was better than for wheat
in marginal areas for cereal production only.