Seeding date, seeding rate, and row spacing affect wheat (Triticum aestivum) and cheat (Bromus secalinus)

Field experiments were conducted in Oklahoma to determine the effects of winter wheat seeding date and cheat infestation level on cultural cheat control obtained by increasing winter wheat seeding rates and decreasing row spacing. Seeding rate and row spacing interactions influenced cheat density, biomass, or seed in harvested wheat (dockage) at two of three locations. Suppressive effects on cheat of increasing wheat seeding rates and reduced row spacings were greater in wheat seeded in September than later. At two other locations, increasing seeding rate from 67 to$101\ {\rm kg}\ {\rm ha}^{-1}$or reducing row spacings from 22.5 to 15 cm increased winter wheat yield over a range of cheat infestation levels.