Effect of irrigation management and boron fertilization on growth and yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) in sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwadidyalaya Cooch Behar, West Bengal, to work out the effect of irrigation management and boron fertilization on growth and yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, having 4 main-plot treatment, viz. I₁, 1 irrigation at crown-root-initiation (CRI) stage; I₂, 2 irrigations at CRI and booting stage; I₃, 3 irrigations at CRI, jointing and flowering stage; I₄, 4 irrigations at CRI, tillering, booting and dough stage, and 5 subplot treatment, viz. B₀, control; B₁, boron @ 1 kg/ha; B₂, boron @ 2 kg/ha; B₃, boron @ 3 kg/ha; B₄, foliar spray of 0.03% solution of boron at pre-flowering stage, replicated thrice. Result indicated that, 3 irrigations (I₃) and B₄ application followed by B₂ resulted in the highest growth and yield-attributing characters. The grain yield and straw yield were increased up to 3 irrigations (I₃), but declined with 4 irrigations (I₄). Treatment B₄ gave the highest grain and straw yields which was at par with the B₂ treatment. The highest grain and straw yields (4.63 t/ha and 5.57 t/ha) were recorded with I₃B₄ treatment combination. The treatment combination I₃B₄ recorded the highest boron concentration in plant (4.42 mg/kg). Water use efficiency was decreased with the increase in number of irrigations, whereas B₄ followed by B₃ recorded the highest water-use efficiency (22.1 and 21.8 kg/ha-mm). The net returns and return per rupee invested were maximum in the I₃B₄ (28,800/ha) and 2.23) followed by I₃B₂) 26,400/ha) and 2.14) treatment combination.