Irrigation scheduling in zero-till and bed-planted wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Field experiments were conducted at Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2004–05 to 2006–07 with planting wheat in three patterns namely, flat planting (zero) conventional tillage, bed planting and, three time of first irrigation at 2, 3and 4 weeks after planting and three subsequent irrigation at 1.2, 1.0 and 0.8 IW:CPE ratio. Bed planted wheat had lower water consumption, higher water use efficiency and grain yield than conventional and zero tillage The higher water use was recorded where first irrigation was applied at 2 weeks than that of 3 and 4 weeks after planting. However, the highest yield and water use efficiency was recorded when irrigation was applied at 3 weeks after planting. The highest water consumption and water use efficiency was observed when subsequent irrigation were applied at1.2 IW:CPE ratio. In 0-15cm soil layer, bulk density and infiltration rate under zero tillage were higher than conventional and bed planting. Lowest root density was recorded under zero tillage than conventional and bed planting. Soil water content in profile under zero tillage was higher followed by bed planting at all stages of growth. Water content in soil increased with the reducing interval of first irrigation and with the increasing of IW:CPE ratio from 0.8 to 1.2.