Performance of Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at two Different Seeding Rates and Nitrogen Levels under Contrasting Environmental Conditions

The aim of this investigation was to obtain information about differences between spelt and wheat in relation to their performance under low‐input conditions. Two spelt varieties (Oberkulmer, Hercule) and two wheat varieties (Anna, Iend) were grown at two different seeding rates (S1 = 200; S2 = 400 kernels/m2) and two nitrogen levels (Nl = 80 kg N/ha; N2 = 110 kg N/ha) at two contrasting locations (Muri; altitude 459 m asl; Oberwallestalden: altitude 1011 m asl). No growth regulators and fungicides were applied. The overall mean for the “husked” yield (grains and glumes) of spelt was not significantly different from the grain yield of wheat. At the higher site Oberwallestalden however, the “husked” yield of spelt was 10.5 % higher than the grain yield of wheat. Although the number of ears per m2 was higher at S2 than at S1, spelt and wheat produced a similar yield at both seeding rates (spelt: S1 = 96 % of S2; wheat: S1 = 95 % of S2) due to the higher single ear weight at S1. The reaction of spelt and wheat to nitrogen was similar. The yield was 10 % higher at N2 than at Nl for both species. The performance of spelt under low‐input conditions was better than for wheat in marginal areas for cereal production only.