Objective: To compare different planting systems: narrow beds, wide beds, and f lat soil, on the growth and yield of wheat grown under conservation system.Design/methodology/approach: Wheat crop was grown during five seasons. Treatments were established on a complete block design with three replicates: wide beds (100 cm), narrow beds (80 cm) and planting on f lat soil. Response variables were dry weight of 50 stems, weight of 1000 grains, number of spikes (m2), harvest index and yield. The relationship between yield and chill hours, and degree-days were identified.Results: Flat soil reached the highest dry weight of 50 stems, whereas narrow beds had the maximum number of spikes per m2. Yield was equal between f lat soil and narrow beds. No differences were found in the harvest index between the evaluated treatments. When comparing results between years, dry weight of 50 stems increased and the harvest index decreased, negatively affecting the yield. A negative association was found between chill hours and yield.Study limitations/implications: The use of wide beds reduces wheat crop yield, and the use are not recommended. Findings/conclusions: Yield was the same with narrow beds and f lat soil planting. The yield reduction was mainly associated with of reduction in chill hours occurring in each season.
