Effect of planting date and salinity stress on grain yield and spike sterility of wheat cv. Bam

To investigate the effect of planting date and salinity on yield and spike sterility of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Bam, a field experiment was conducted at Sadouq Salinity Research Farm, National Salinity Research Center, Yazd, Iran, during 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. The experiment was arranged as split plot based on RCBD with three replicates. Treatments were sowing dates (planting at 23 Oct., 6 Nov., 21 Nov. and 6 Dec.), and saline water, ECiw= 2 (non-saline) and and 10 dS/m (saline conditions). Results showed that grain yield were not significantly different by planting date at 23 Oct., 6 Nov., 21 Nov. in both years. Delay in planting date until 6 Dec. reduced grain yield significantly by 28 and 34 percent in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, respectively. The best planting date in order to experiment conditions was early November. Delay in planting date increased spike and spikelet sterility percent in both years. The lowest and highest spike and spikelet sterility percent was observed at 6 Nov. and 6 Dec., respectively. Spike and spikelet sterility percent was more in saline conditions than non-saline conditions. It seems any environmental stress such as salinity and delay in planting date in ZGS=40 to ZGS=49 (Booting stage), could increase spikelet sterility per spike.