Growth, yield and economics of drip-irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as influenced by timing and depth of irrigation water application

An experiment was conducted during 2014–15 and 2015–16 at Ludhiana, Punjab, to study the effect of time and depth of irrigation water on growth, yield and economics of drip-irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design comprising 3 irrigation timings [3 irrigations at crown-root initiation, booting and milking (CBM); 4 irrigations at crown-root initiation, tillering, booting and milking (CTBM) and 5 irrigations at crown-root initiation, tillering, booting, milking and dough (CTBMD)] in main plots and 4 irrigation depth [50 mm at each stage in 2 splits (2 SP); 75 mm at each stage in 3 splits (3SP); 100 mm at each stage in 4 splits (4SP); 75 mm at each stage conventionally (CP)] in subplots, replicated 4 times. Five irrigations at CTBMD resulted in significantly higher growth and yield attributes as well as grain yield than 3 irrigations at CBM; however, it was at par with 4 irrigations at CTBMD. The grain yield reduced by 12.9% and 13.6% in CBM than CTBMD during 2014- 15 and 2015–16, respectively. Four splits of 100 mm irrigation depth resulted in significantly higher growth and yield attributes as well as grain yield than 2 splits and CP. Grain yield reduced by 10.7 and 10.2% in CP than 4 SP during 2014–15 and 2015–16, respectively. Though grain yield in 2 SP and CP was similar, there was water saving of 33.3% in 2 SP as compared to CP. The highest net returns (35.8 × 10³/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.90) were recorded with application of 5 irrigations at CTBMD. Similarly, the highest net returns (34.7 × 10³/ha) were recorded with water application in 4 irrigation splits (4SP), but benefit: cost ratio (1.89) was the highest with 3 irrigation splits (3 SP).