Evaluation of Wheat Varieties under Different Sowing Dates in Irrigated Arid Conditions

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is Afghanistan’s principal staple crop, yet national production remains below demand. In Farah province, irrigated wheat yields are constrained by climatic variability and suboptimal agronomic practices. This study evaluated the effects of sowing date and variety on yield performance under irrigated arid conditions during the 2022–23 season in Qala-Mohammad Jan village, Farah. A factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design included three sowing dates (23 October, 11 November, and 1 December) and three varieties (Mazar-99, Darulaman-07, and Chont No.1) with three replications. Data were recorded on yield components, grain and straw yield, harvest index, and economic returns. Sowing on 11 November significantly improved effective tillers, spike length, grains per spike, thousand-grain weight, grain yield, harvest index, and net income (p < 0.05). Darulaman-07 outperformed other varieties across all parameters. Combining mid-November sowing with Darulaman-07 is recommended to enhance wheat productivity in irrigated arid regions of Afghanistan.