Grain yield, nutrient uptake and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticumaestivum) under different moisture regimes, nutrient and hydrogel levels

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2013–14 at Ludhiana, Punjab, to determine the effect of four irrigation regimes (0, 2, 3 and 4 irrigations) and 6 levels of nutrient and hydrogel [100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) 150 kg N: 60 kg P₂O₅: 30 kg K₂O/ha without hydrogel, 100% RDF with 2.5 kg/ha hydrogel, 100% RDF with 5.0 kg/ha hydrogel, 75% RDF without hydrogel, 75% RDF with 2.5 kg/ha hydrogel and 75% RDF with 5.0 kg/ha hydrogel] on wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.]. Grain yield was the highest under 4 irrigations which was, however, at par with grain yield under 3 irrigations. Using RDF₁₀₀H₅, RDF₁₀₀H_2.5 and RDF₇₅H₅, similar grain yield was recorded. Consumptive use was highest under 4 irrigations. Water-use efficiency (WUE) decreased with increase in irrigation levels while it showed an increasing trend with increase in hydrogel dose. The highest WUE was found with no irrigations along RDF₁₀₀H₅ which was statistically at par with application of 2 irrigations along RDF₁₀₀H₅ and no irrigation RDF₁₀₀H_2.5.