Prediction of the best plant density for Fagopyrum esculentum (Moench) using empirical models

Taking into account that different planting density needed for favor grain and biomass production، the determination of the suitable density for buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) grain or biomass production are interested. The use of regression models is a cost-effective and a suit approach for this purpose. Therefore، this research was initiated to determine the best plant density for grain and biomass production of buckwheat using modeling approach. Two function including Logistic and Hyperbola were used to describe the relationship between buckwheat density and grain or biomass yield. For modeling approach، a field experiment was conducted during the spring of 2010 to evaluate different buckwheat densities of (26. 6، 32، 40، 53. 3،80 and 160 plants per m-2). Result showed that the Hyperbola function closely described (RMSE=20. 2 g) the relationship between plant density and biomass production. Whereas in the case of seed yield، the Logistic function had good simulation (RMSE=7. 2 g). Conversely، Hyperbola function gave worse fit for grain yield. Tese species also showed different densities needed to maximize seed and biomass yields. Based on models prediction the densities of 57 and 148 plant m-2 were the best densities for high seed and biomass production، respectively.