Effect of planting density on lodging-related morphology, lodging rate, and yield of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum)

Increase of planting density has been widely used to increase grain yield in crops. However, it may lead to higher risk of lodging hence causing significant yield loss of the crop. To investigate the effects of planting density on lodging-related morphology, lodging rate (LR), and yield of tartary buckwheat, an experiment was carried out with a split-plot randomized block design at the experimental farm of Chengdu University (Sichuan, China) in the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. Results showed that plant density significantly affected characteristics of stem and root. In each season, with the increasing of planting density, light transmittance, main root length, number of first lateral root, root volume, internode number, and first internode diameter decreased, the plant height, first internode length, abortion rate and LR increased. Increasing density caused decreased grains number per plant, the dry matter weight and yield displayed an acceleration first and then deceleration. The correlation analysis indicated that the internode number, first internode diameter, number of first lateral roots, and root volume were significantly negatively correlated with LR, but positively correlated with stem breaking strength and lodging resistance index. The LR was significantly positively correlated with plant height and first internode length. In both years, the D2 (9 ×10⁵ plant ha⁻¹) and D3 (12×10⁵ plant ha⁻¹) yielded more grains than in other treatments, and the effects of density on two cultivars showed the same trend. The results suggested that planting density could alter lodging-related traits, lodging resistance, and yield of tartary buckwheat.