Grain yield, nutrient uptake and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under different moisture regimes, nutrient and hydrogel levels

摘要

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2013-14 at Ludhiana, Punjab, to determine the effect of four irrigation regimes (0, 2, 3 and 4 irrigations) and 6 levels of nutrient and hydrogel [100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) 150 kg N: 60 kg P_2O_5: 30 kg K_2O/ha without hydrogel, 100% RDF with 2.5 kg/ha hydrogel, 100% RDF with 5.0 kg/ha hydrogel, 75% RDF without hydrogel, 75% RDF with 2.5 kg/ha hydrogel and 75% RDF with 5.0 kg/ha hydrogel] on wheat [Triticum aestivum (L) emend. Fiori & Paol.]. Grain yield was the highest under 4 irrigations which was, however, at par with grain yield under 3 irrigations. Using RDF_(100)H_5, RDF_(100)H_(2.5) and RDF_(75)H_5, similar grain yield was recorded. Consumptive use was highest under 4 irrigations. Water-use efficiency (WUE) decreased with increase in irrigation levels while it showed an increasing trend with increase in hydrogel dose. The highest WUE was found with no irrigations along RDF_(100)H_5 which was statistically at parwith application of 2 irrigations along RDF_(100)H_5 and no irrigation RDF_(100)H_(2.5).