Variation of grain weight per spike of wheat depending on variety and seed size

Abstract

The aim of research was to establish the influence of seed size on grain weight per spike of three wheat varieties. A trial was set up using split-plot method in four replications in Pancevo in the period 2004-2006. The seed was divided according to the size in four fractions: 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.5 and 2.8 mm. A significant interaction was determined between the tested varieties and the years of testing, whilst a highly significant interaction was determined between the years of testing and the seed size, the varieties and the seed size, between the tested varieties, the years of testing and the tested seed size. The highest grain weight per spike was determined in PKB-Christina variety (2.29 g), and Pobeda variety (2.25 g), whilst Vizija variety had the lowest grain weight per spike (2.11 g). The difference was highly significant. The analysis of variance determined a highly significant difference between the years when the experiment was conducted, which is often seen in this region. Highly significant differences in the grain weight per spike were determined at different seed sizes. Larger seeds produced higher grain weight per spikes, highest weight being obtained with largest seeds (>= 2.8 mm).