Physicochemical characterization of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) under full irrigation conditions and water stress due to reduced irrigation

Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), a vital crop for the global food supply, is facing significant challenges related to irrigation management and water stress. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of different irrigation regimes (full vs. reduced) on hectoliter weight, 1000-grain weight, and nutritional composition in several wheat cultivars during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 growing seasons. Full management included four irrigations, while reduced management omitted the final irrigation. The impact of irrigation on key grain quality parameters was evaluated through precise measurements and statistical analysis. The results demonstrated that full irrigation led to a notable enhancement in hectoliter weight and 1000-grain weight across the majority of varieties, with values reaching up to 81.40 and 60.52 g, respectively. Conversely, reduced irrigation tended to elevate protein content, reaching up to 15.56% in certain varieties. Furthermore, variations in carbohydrate, lipid, and mineral contents were observed depending on the irrigation regime. Certain genotypes demonstrated a higher accumulation of these nutrients under water stress. In conclusion, full irrigation generally favors grain density and size, while water stress induced by reduced irrigation can increase protein content. This highlights the importance of adapting irrigation management practices according to the specific characteristics of each variety to optimize wheat quality and yield.