Institute for Cereal Production, Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, German Democratic Republic
* Present Address: UNDP Centre of Excellence in Soil and Water Management, Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar-125004 (India).
A series of pot and field experiments conducted on sandy loam soil revealed that an increase in soil water supply increased evapotranspiration (ET) of cereal crops significantly. Application of fertilizers also increased ET but only slightly. Efficiency of water per unit weight of yield reduced with increase in soil water supply. Adequately nourished plants showed reduction in width of stomatal aperture and used water most efficiently than poorly nourished plants. Only judicious use of water and fertilizers might improve each other’s efficiency.
