Tillering Response in Hrsw Cultivars As Influenced By Planting Date, Plant Population, and Genetic Background.

            Tillering in hard red spring wheat (HRSW) is dependent on many factors such as environment, genetics, soil fertility, planting date, seeding rate, and other agronomic practices. This research explores the relationship between space planted and solid-seeded plantings at different populations in cultivars with known genes for plant stature and photoperiod sensitivity. Field experiments were conducted from 2013-2015. Specific factors in three trials were up to six planting dates, twelve HRSW cultivars, and five seeding rates. Cultivars were chosen in six pairs for the presence or absence of Ppd-D1, Rht-B1, and Rht-D1 genes. Data collected relating to tillering were stand counts at Feekes 1 and head counts at Feekes 11.3. In the solid seeded trials tiller numbers responded as expected with increased tillers at lower seeding rates. In the space planted trials tillers per plant decreased as planting date progressed in most cultivars. The cultivar rank for number of tillers in the space planted trials was not predictive of tillering in solid seeded trials. The effect of the cultivar and the presence or absence of major genes for plant stature and photoperiod sensitivity, planting date, and their interaction on tillers per plant when sown at different populations will be discussed.

Tillering response in HRSW cultivars as influenced by planting date, plant population, and genetic background.