Biomass Partitioning and Yield Performance of Wheat Genotypes as Influenced by Different Irrigation Levels

Aim: To find out the most suitable genotype and irrigation level to obtain higher productivity of wheat crop. Wheat crop is highly susceptible to water stress, so it is essential to select wheat varieties that can mature and deliver higher yields even with a limited water supply.

Methodology: A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2022-23 with three main plot treatments consisting of irrigation levels (One irrigation at crown root initiation stage, two irrigations at CRI and heading stage, full irrigation at all recommended growth stages) and ten sub plot treatments as genotypes namely P 13320, P 13779, P 13787, P 30004, P 30005, P 30013, P 30007, P 30012, P 30015 and WH 1142 laid out in split plot design with three replications.

Results: It was found that normal irrigated wheat recorded significantly higher dry weight of all plant parts compared to wheat irrigated with one and two irrigations. One (CRI) and two (CRI and heading) time irrigated wheat resulted in reduction of 93.1 and 65.5 percent in dry weight per plant at harvest compared to normal irrigation, respectively. Among genotypes, P 13320 and P 30013 recorded significantly higher and lower dry weight of all plant parts, respectively. Normal irrigated wheat produced significantly higher grain yield (5832 kg/ha), which was 172.5 and 76.1 percent higher than one irrigation (CRI) and two irrigations (CRI and heading), respectively.

Interpretation: For higher wheat yield, farmers may be advised to cultivate genotype P 13320, followed by P 30005, under full irrigation at all recommended growth stages.