A multivariate analysis of the effects of planting date on productivity of some wheat genotypes

الملخص EN

Twenty wheat ( Triticum aestivum) genotypes were evaluated at different sowing dates (15 October, 01 November and 15.November).

MANCOVA using days to maturity as covariate was conducted to test the effects of sowing date and genotype on grain yield ,stalk yield and harvest index.

The results revealed no significant differences due to genotypes or the interaction between genotypes and sowing dates.

However, planting dates had a highly significant effect on grain yield, stalk yield and harvest index.

Grain yield, stalk yield and harvest index were also found to be significantly correlated, while days to maturity was significantly correlated to those three yield components but not to the other covariates measured (plant height, seed weight and days to flowering).

Planting the onset of November resulted in the highest grain yield (2.48 t/ha), stalk yield (2.203 t/ha) and harvest index (23.27%).

KEYWORDS: Covariates, Genotypes, Harvest Index, Yield Components.