ABSTRACT
Summary Few experiments report the effect of row direction on growth of wheat in windy areas. The objective of this research was to determine the optimal row direction for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) in the southern Great Plains of the U.S.A. for minimizing stress from wind, optimizing leaf growth (forage yield), and maximizing grain yield. During a 3-year period (1976-1979), Osage wheat was grown in north-south (NS) and east-west (EW) rows. Wind, soil water content, stomatal resistance, leaf water potential, leaf osmotic potential, elemental concentration of straw and grain, height, leaf area, and grain yield were measured. Prevailing winds came mainly from the south in spring, summer, and autumn and from the north in winter. Soil water content was greater in EW than in NS rows. Stomatal resistance, leaf water potential, leaf osmotic potential, elemental concentration of straw and grain, and height of plants in NS rows were not significantly different from those of plants in EW rows. Leaf 402area of plants in NS rows ranged from 5% to 20% more than leaf area of plants in EW rows. During the 3-year study, plants in EW rows yielded an average of 11% more grain than plants in NS rows. The results shows that, where prevailing winds come from the north and south, wheat should be oriented in NS rows for maximum leaf area (forage yield) and in EW rows for maximum grain yield.
