Effect of irrigation scheduling and nutrient management on productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown under zero-tilled condition in south-eastern Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kota, Rajasthan, during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2013–14, to evaluate effect of irrigation scheduling and nutrient management practices on productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] grown under zero-tillage condition in south eastern Rajasthan. Treatments comparised irrigation schedules in main plots, viz. irrigation water: cumulative pan evaporation (IW: CPE) 0.8 and IW: CPE 1.0, and nutrient-management practices in sub plots, viz. 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF 120 kg/ha nitrogen, 40 kg/ha P₂O₅ and 30 kg/ha potash), 125% RDF and 150% RDF, were laid out in split-plot design with 4 replication. Irrigation at an IW: CPE of 1.0 significantly increased plant height (85.3 cm), leaf-area index (3.64) and dry-matter accumulation (894.2 g/m²) at 90 days after sowing (DAS), effective tillers/m² (489), ear length (9.27 cm), grains/ear (45.3) and 1, 000-seed weight (36.82g), grain yield (4.16 t/ha), straw yield (6.50 t/ha), N (69.6 and 44.0 kg/ha), P (15.7 and 3.52 kg/ha) and K (20.6 and 153.1 kg/ha) uptake by grain and straw, respectively, protein content (10.5%), net returns (56, 004/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.30), production efficiency (28.7 kg/ha/day) and economic efficiency (386/ha/day) and water-use efficiency (80.1 kg/ha-cm)) than the irrigation at IW: CPE of 0.8. However, maximum harvest index and water productivity were observed with the irrigation at an IW: CPE ratio of 0.8. Among nutrient-management practices, 125% RDF registered significantly higher growth and yield attributes, grain yield (4.04 t/ha), net returns (54, 058/ha) and all the efficiency indices, N, P and K uptake by grain and straw. However, significant improvement in straw yield was observed up to 150% RDF. Maximum harvest index and benefit: cost ratio were found only with 100% RDF.