Seeding Rate Effects on Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat Cultivars in the Mid‐Atlantic USA

The Mid‐Atlantic region of the United States produces almost strictly soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (SRWW). However, the potential exists for farmers to produce bread wheat that would garner a premium over SRWW. Previous reports have noted that bread wheat yields in humid environments are typically lower than competitive SRWW yields. One reason for lower yields was reduced tiller numbers compared to SRWW. This study evaluated the effect of seeding rates, ranging from 26 to 60 viable seeds/ft2, on yield and yield components of five bread wheat cultivars and one SRWW cultivar for comparison. Cultivar influenced grain yield and all yield components, as well as test weight and grain protein. Significantly higher numbers of seedlings at 3 weeks post‐emergence, grain yield, and head per ft2 at harvest were observed with increasing seeding rate, over all cultivars. Highest grain yield was observed at the highest seeding rate, but seed cost dictates a more modest recommendation of 40 to 43 seeds/ft2. Kernels per head had a greater impact on final yield in these studies than did heads per ft2 or individual kernel weight.