Influence of irrigation and tillage management on growth, yield and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Gangetic plains in West Bengal

A field experiment was carried out during the winter seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at Gayeshpur, Nadia (West Bengal) in the Gangetic alluvial soil, to assess the impact of irrigation and tillage-management practices on growth attributes, yield components, yield and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. ‘UP 262’ Results revealed that increase in irrigation frequency from irrigation water : cumulative pan evaporation (IW : CPE) 0.4 to 1.0 significantly promoted growth parameters, and 6 irrigations at 16-17 days interval (IW : CPE ratio of 1.0) was found to be superior. Growth parameters were significantly higher under conventional tillage over minimum tillage. The plants receiving 6 irrigations (IW : CPE 1.0) recorded the highest consumptive use (CU), while the highest consumptive-use efficiency (CUE) was obtained with the plants receiving 5 irrigations. The maximum number of spikes/m², spike length and number of filled grains/spike were found in plants irrigated 6 times (IW : CPE 1.0) at an interval of 16-17 days. Maximum wheat grain and straw yield were obtained with 6 irrigations, closely followed by those obtained with 5 irrigations (IW : CPE 0.8). Tillage practices showed significant variation in the number of spikes/m² and it was maximum with crops grown under conventional tillage. Both grain and straw yields were significantly higher for plants grown under conventional tillage than those obtained under the minimum tillage. The gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio were maximum when the crop received 6 irrigations under conventional tillage management. Hence, 6 irrigations under conventional tillage could be more effective in augmenting wheat yield, CUE and economics in the Gangetic plains of West Bengal.