Observations on effect of seeding pattern on water-use efficiency of durumwheat in semi-arid areas of Morocco

In semi-arid areas of Morocco, soil evaporation is rapid during early growt h period of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum cv. group durum). Experiments we re conducted in the field during 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 to see if early sh ading of soil through the use of narrow row spacing and adequate plant popu lation would help conserve water and hence increase wheat grain yield and w ater-use efficiency. Three seeding rates, 200, 300 and 400 kernels m(-2) an d two distances between rows, 24 cm (check) and 12 cm were tested in a spli t-plot design. Results revealed that grain yield, total above-ground dry ma tter production and water-use efficiency were increased when row spacing wa s reduced. The effect of seeding rate was significant only in 1995-1996 whe re the highest plant population gave the lowest yield. Actual evapotranspir ation measured for the whole growing season was not affected by any treatme nt. It appears that in semi-arid areas of Morocco, grain yield and water-us e efficiency are more related to water use pattern during the growing seaso n than to total evapotranspiration. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.