Effects of sowing rate and row spacing on the performance of forage rye seeds

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of sowing rate (120, 150, 187.5, or 225 kg·ha^–1) and row spacing (20, 25, 30, or 35 cm) on the height, branch number, ear length, grains per spike, grain weight per spike, 1 000-grain weight, and seed yield of forage rye using a two-factor randomized block experiment. The aim was to establish a theoretical basis for producing forage rye seed in the high-altitude colder regions of China. Sowing rate had a significant effect on plant height, ear length, grain weight per spike, 1 000-grain weight, and seed yield (P < 0.05) but failed to significantly affect branch number or grains per spike. Meanwhile, row spacing had a significant effect on seed yield and branch number (P < 0.05) but failed to significantly affect plant height, ear length, grains per spike, grain weight per spike, or 1 000-grain weight. Therefore, either sowing rate or row spacing, or both, significantly affected every measured variable, except grains per spike. Below 2 800 m in elevation in Gansu Province, the greatest seed yield (≤ 6 590 kg·ha^–1) was achieved using a sowing rate and row spacing of 187.5 kg·ha^–1 and 30～35 cm, respectively.