Enhancing productivity through effective irrigation and nitrogen scheduling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of irrigation and nitrogen scheduling on wheat yield and quality. Conducted over one growing season the research explores how different irrigation regimes and nitrogen application timings influence key agronomic parameters such and growth and yield of wheat crop. The present research "Enhancing productivity through effective irrigation and nitrogen scheduling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)" was carried out at Experimental Farm, Department of Agriculture, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh sahib, Punjab, India, during Rabi season of 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with twelve treatment combinations and the treatments were replicated thrice. The growth parameters viz., number of plants in running meter, plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index and yield attributes viz., number of grains per spike, spike length, weight of spike and yield were maximum under irrigation schedule I₄ - First irrigation at CRI, second at tillering, third at late jointing and forth at milking stage. In nitrogen scheduling highest growth and yield parameters were observed in N₃ - 25% nitrogen as basal dose + 25% at CRI + 25% at late jointing stage + 25% at flowering stage which was at par with N₂ - 50% as basal dose + 25% after first irrigation + 25% at flowering stage and significantly superior over N₁. Optimal nitrogen timing in conjugation with precise irrigation, improves nitrogen use efficiency and reduces environment impacts. This study proves valuable insights into best practices for resource management in wheat cultivation, aiming to maximize productivity while minimizing ecological footprint.