Response of Wheat to Different Irrigation Levels in Terms 0f Growth and Grain Yield

Abstract

Water availability is a major factor influencing wheat growth, yield components, and grain productivity. The present study was conducted to evaluate the response of wheat to different irrigation levels in terms of growth and grain yield. Five irrigation regimes (I1–I5) were evaluated for their effects on plant height, number of tillers, number of spikelets spike⁻¹, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and harvest index. The results showed that irrigation regimes significantly affected all studied parameters. Plant height increased progressively with increasing irrigation levels, ranging from 69.25 cm under I1 to 88.25 cm under I5. Similarly, the number of tillers increased from 279.12 m⁻² under I1 to 363.10 m⁻² under I5. The number of spikelets spike⁻¹ also increased from 14.72 under I1 to 19.20 under I5, while the 1000-grain weight increased from 34.62 g to 41.95 g under I1 and I5, respectively. Grain yield showed a marked improvement with increasing irrigation levels, increasing from 2540.20 kg ha⁻¹ under I1 to 4480.30, 4990.45, 5425.30, and 5705.40 kg ha⁻¹ under I2, I3, I4, and I5, respectively. The harvest index followed a similar trend, increasing from 27.35% under I1 to 33.02, 33.65, 35.70, and 36.05% under I2, I3, I4, and I5, respectively. The highest values of all measured traits were recorded under I5, whereas the lowest values were observed under I1. The LSD (p=0.05) values were 2.610 cm for plant height, 9.520 m⁻² for tiller number, 1.240 for spikelets spike⁻¹, 2.180 g for 1000-grain weight, 100.25 kg ha⁻¹ for grain yield, and 0.9210% for the harvest index. These findings demonstrate that adequate irrigation substantially improves wheat growth, yield components, and grain productivity. Under the conditions of the present study, the highest irrigation level (I5) resulted in superior crop performance and grain yield, highlighting the importance of appropriate irrigation management for achieving improved wheat productivity.