What the study found
Under late-sowing conditions, the hybrid wheat Jingmai 17 performed best at a planting density of 300 plants per square meter. The authors report that this density improved source-sink coordination, meaning the balance between the plant's ability to make sugars and its ability to store them in grain.
Why the authors say this matters
The study suggests that adjusting planting density may help reduce the yield penalty caused by late sowing in winter wheat. The authors conclude that the results offer a theoretical and practical cultivation reference for choosing hybrid wheat varieties in this region.
What the researchers tested
The researchers carried out a two-year field experiment using one hybrid wheat variety, Jingmai 17, and one conventional variety, Jimai 22. They compared three planting densities: 150, 300, and 450 plants per square meter, and examined effects on source-sink relationship and yield under late-sowing conditions.
What worked and what didn't
The middle density, 300 plants per square meter, gave the largest yield increase for both Jingmai 17 and Jimai 22, with reported gains of 2.4-9.7% and 1.4-10.6%, respectively. At this density, photosynthetic capacity was maintained during mid-to-late grain filling, leaf senescence was delayed, assimilates were moved to the grains, and grain number per spike and thousand-grain weight improved. Jingmai 17 also showed a significant yield advantage over Jimai 22, reported as 8.2-10.1%, which the authors attribute to stronger and more persistent source function, larger and more stable sink capacity, and higher source-sink coordination efficiency.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the specific late-sowing field conditions and the two varieties tested. The findings are therefore limited to the study's experimental setup and the materials used.
Key points
- A planting density of 300 plants per square meter produced the best yield results under late-sowing conditions.
- Both Jingmai 17 and Jimai 22 showed their largest yield increases at the middle density treatment.
- At 300 plants per square meter, photosynthetic capacity was maintained later in grain filling and leaf senescence was delayed.
- Jingmai 17 outperformed Jimai 22 by 8.2-10.1% in yield, according to the abstract.
- The authors say the study offers a cultivation reference for hybrid wheat selection in this region.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Planting density of 300 plants per square meter gave the best yield
- Authors:
- Y. Zhang, Zixin Zhu, Changxing Zhao, Xiaoli Chen
- Institutions:
- Qingdao Agricultural University, Northwest Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Rural Resources
- Publication date:
- 2026-01-08
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by Sam Farallon on Unsplash · Unsplash License
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