Evaluation of Wheat Variety with Different Sowing Dates in Rainfed Conditions of Chakwal, Pakistan

This study assessed the effect of varying sowing dates on the grain yield of the wheat variety Markaz-19 under rain-fed conditions in Chakwal over three consecutive seasons (2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24). The experiment was conducted at the Adaptive Research Farm, Chakwal, following a randomized complete block design with three replications. Six sowing dates—10 October (D1), 20 October (D2), 30 October (D3), 10 November (D4), 20 November (D5), and 30 November (D6)—were tested. Uniform agronomic practices were applied to isolate the effect of planting time. Grain yield data were analyzed using ANOVA, revealing significant differences across sowing dates and years. October 30 (D3) consistently produced the highest yield, while November 30 (D6) yielded the lowest. Early and late sowings (D1, D2, D4, D5) showed reduced productivity due to mismatches between growth stages and local climatic conditions, particularly during grain filling. The superior performance of D3 was attributed to the optimal alignment of growth stages with favorable weather. The findings highlight 30 October as the most suitable sowing date for maximizing the yield potential of Markaz-19 under rain-fed conditions in Chakwal. This insight can guide farmers and policymakers in refining their wheat production strategies to achieve enhanced yield stability and food security.