Wheat cultivar HD 2009 out yielded cultivar Kalyansona under similar cultural conditions due to more ear number per unit area. HD 2009 tillered profusely and had a better shoot survival characteristic of its primary shoots which constituted mainly the ear number component. Both varieties maintained a similar crop growth rates and biological yield. About 10 to 15% of the total dry matter was lost through dead tillers in both the varieties. Total dry matter remained equally distributed in a large number of ear bearing shoots in HD 2009 which ended up in higher harvest-index. Raising the value of ear number per unit area along with grain weight per ear under optimal conditions is suggested as useful selection criteria for improving grain yield.
