Moisture-stress management under limited and assured irrigation regimes in wheat (Triticum aestivum): Effects on crop productivity, water use efficiency, grain quality, nutrient acquisition and soil fertility

A field experiment was carried-out for three consecutive years during winter seasons of 2010-11 to 2012-13 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to evaluate the effect of various moisture-stress management options on crop and water productivity, quality, nutrient uptake and soil fertility in wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori and Paol] The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications comprising eight treatments, viz. Pusa hydrogel under assured irrigation (PHLI), organic mulch under assured irrigation (OMAI), aqua-sowing under assured irrigation (ASAI), control under assured irrigation (CAI), Pusa hydrogel under limited irrigation (PHLI), organic mulch under limited irrigation (OMLI), aqua-sowing under limited irrigation (ASLI), and control under limited irrigation (CLI). The maximum plant height (87.2 cm), tillers/m 2 (560) and LAI (5.19) were recorded with OMAI followed by PHAI and ASAI. Wheat grain yield increased by 5.9, 6.7 and 11.4% due to aquasowing, Pusa hydrogel and organic mulch, respectively under assured irrigation. Per cent grain yield improvement under limited irrigation was 13.2, 14.8 and 22.1% owing to aqua-sowing, Pusa hydrogel and organic mulch, respectively. The grain protein content was more under limited irrigation with maximum protein (10.33%) under CLI. Highest consumptive use (430 mm) was recorded under OMAI; however, the maximum water-use efficiency was found with OMLI (11.7 kg/ha-mm) followed by ASLI (11.4 kg/ha-mm). Under limited irrigation, the lowest proline accumulation was recorded under OMLI (9.3 mu g/g fresh weight) while under PHLI and ASLI it was 10.2 and 13.1 mu g/g fresh weight, respectively. Overall, it is highlighted that under limited irrigation, the organic mulching followed by Pusa hydrogel and aqua-sowing can be good options to achieve higher crop and water productivity and nutrient acquisition in wheat under water starved agro-ecosystems.