Enhancing yield, water productivity, energy efficiency and economic returns of wheat by optimizing irrigation and nitrogen management practices

Abstract

India’s agricultural landscape faces critical challenges in water and nitrogen management, prompting a study to optimize irrigation techniques and enhance sustainability in wheat production. Five irrigations produced the highest grain yield closely followed by three irrigations but 29% more than 2-irrigations due to moisture and heat stress during the grain filling stage. Nitrogen management also significantly impacted yield, with 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) yielding the highest at 4.32 t/ha, 7% more than the second-best treatment which combined 50% RDN with two nano-urea sprays. The highest water productivity was achieved with three irrigations recording 1.56 kg/m³, which was 41.82% more compared to two irrigations (1.17 kg/m³) due to higher yield with slightly higher water consumption. The 100% RDN also resulted higher water productivity (1.50 kg/m3) surpassing control plot by 275%. Five times irrigations maintaining higher soil moisture levels compared to others, particularly during the harvest stage. The net return after raising the crop was higher with 3-irrigations which was highest (55990 Rs/ha) and net return of 82130 Rs/ha was obtained from 100% RDN which was superior over rest of the N levels. Energy analysis revealed that while five irrigation and 100% RDN required the highest energy inputs but 50%RDN+ 2 nano urea spray demonstrated superior energy efficiency. Three irrigations with 100% RDN treatment were identified as the most effective practices for optimizing yield, water productivity, and economic returns in wheat cultivation.