Potential soil moisture deficit: A useful approach to save water with enhanced growth and productivity of wheat crop

Shahbaz Khan,Muhammad Asif,Samra Naseem,Sohail Irshad,Zuhair Hasnain,Atif Rasool,Mona S Alwahibi,Muhammad Bilal Hafeez,Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi,Maham Saddique,Madad Ali

doi:10.2166/wcc.2021.356

Abstract

Abstract Wheat is the main crop in the world ranks after rice and the largest grain source of Pakistan. Among several reasons for diminishing wheat yield in Pakistan, water stress throughout the growing season decreases crop production because of the short life span. Two years (2015–16 and 2016–17) of field experiments were conducted to assess the impact of various water regimes (full irrigation, irrigation at 45, 60, and 75 mm potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD)) on the growth and yield of wheat. Maximum crop growth rate was recorded by application of irrigation at 45 mm PSMD. Application of irrigation at 45 mm PSMD ensured maximum radiation use efficiency regarding total dry matter production and grain yield. The maximum number of productive tillers, spike length, and grain yield were recorded under 45 mm PSDM treatment. The present results show that the effect of water is more pronounced regarding the growth and productivity of wheat. Application of irrigation at 45 mm PSMD ensures higher economical yield.

Highlights

Wheat is the largest grain source of Pakistan and ranks after rice as the main crop
The results showed that maximum Crop growth rate (CGR) (9.98 g mÀ2 dÀ1) was recorded by application of irrigation at 45 mm Potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD) (Figure 1)
A significant difference was observed in water use efficiency (WUE) on total dry matter (TDM) and grain yield (GY) basis under different irrigation regimes (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Wheat is the largest grain source of Pakistan and ranks after rice as the main crop. It accounts for 80% of the cultivated area of about nine million hectares during Rabi season, it has an important role in formulation of new agricultural policies. In Pakistan, wheat yield could not achieve its maximum in comparison with different wheat producing countries in the world. Several ecological factors are responsible for limiting yield of crops (Bali & Sidhu ), and a small change in these from their normal array results in a decrease in plant growth and yield. The world agriculture cereal production is decreasing with climate change (Raza et al ; Mubarik et al )

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion