Evaluation of water-use efficiency and soil physical properties under different sowing methods, mulch levels and irrigation schedules in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A field experiment was conducted at Ludhiana, Punjab, during winter (rabi) season of 2013–14 and 2014–15, to study the effect of sowing methods, mulch levels and irrigation schedules on water-use efficiency and soil physical properties in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Bed sowing registered significantly higher apparent water pro-ductivity (14.5%), root density in 0–15 cm soil layer (1.7%) and infiltration rate of water (13.4%) and lower bulk density of 0–15 cm soil layer (3.1%) and soil-penetration resistance at 15 cm soil depth (18.2%) over flat sowing. Paddy straw mulch application @ 6 t/ha significantly increased leaf-area index, photosynthetically active radiation interception, dry-matter production and grain yield as compared to paddy straw mulch @ 3 t/ha and no-mulch. Mulch application @ 6 t/ha increased the water-use efficiency (WUE) by 16.5 and 32.9 kg/ha/cm over mulch @ 3 t/ha and no-mulch, respectively, and lowered the maximum soil temperature, bulk density and soil-penetration resistance than no-mulch. Irrigation schedule of 1.0 irrigation water/cumulative pan evaporation (IW: CPE) significantly increased the dry-matter production and grain yield. However, irrigation schedule of 0.6 IW: CPE significantly increased the WUE and apparent water productivity than 0.8 and 1.0 IW: CPE schedules.