Response of Bread Wheat to Sowing Dates and the Genotypes in Morocco

A field study was conducted to determine the effects of sowing date on the growth and yield of different bread wheat genotypes in two locations of Morocco (the plain of Saïs; Douyet and the Atlas Montaigne; Annoceur). The trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. The chosen dates were: 1st and 15th November in Douyet; 1st and 15th December in Annoceur and three bread wheat varieties (Achtar, Mehdia and Arrehane). Results revealed that seedlings in 1st November in the Saïs region and 1st December in the Atlas Montaigne increased grain yield for 11.15% compared to seasonal sowing, and any delay in bread wheat sowing might reduce wheat yield. The variety Arrehane surpassed the two other varieties Mehdia and Achtar in both growing seasons and at both locations with an average of 10.95% and 21.05% for grain yield, and for all components measured; number of spike m-2, 1000-grain weight, number of grains per spike, plant height and harvest index.