Growth and Yield Responses of Wheat [Triticum aestivum L] to Suboptimal Water Supply and Different Potassium Doses

Laboratory, pot and field experiments were conducted to find out the responses of two wheat cultivars: MP4010 [V₁] and Sujata [V₂] at different growth stages under water stress with varying potassium doses, namely 20kg/ha [K₁], 40kg/ha [K₂] and 60kg/ha [K₃]. Water stress was imposed by withholding water at different stages, that is, I₀ [rainfed], I₂ [vegetative stage] and I₃ [before flowering stage] wherein I₁ served as normal irrigation. In laboratory experiments polyethylene glycol ‘6000’ [15%] was employed as stress treatment. Potassium treatments resulted in an increase in total chlorophylls, carotenoids and yield parameters in both the cultivars. Relative water content [RWC] improved with increasing potassium doses under all the irrigation schedules. Free proline contents were greater in plants grown under rain-fed conditions in comparison to normal irrigation and in potassium treatments.