Effect of Soil Alkalinity and Depth of Irrigation Water on Wheat in Black Clay Soil

Field experiment was conducted in an alkali black clay soil withfour levels of sodicity (i.e. 35, 45, 55 and 65 ESP) and five depths of water application viz. 30, 27, 25, 15 and 2.5 mm during the winter season of 1989–90 and 1990–91. Wheat crop (var. WH-157) was grown in both the years and irrigation depths were achieved with the help of a specially designed line source sprinkler system. Crop growth parameters like number of effective tillers, leaf area index and dry matter yield increased significantly with decreasing soil ESP (up to 45) and increasing depths of irrigation (up to 27 mm applied after 25 mm CPE). This increase was almost at par between ESP level of 35 and 45 and 30 and 27 mm depth of irrigation. Grain yield also increased significantly in both the years due to decreased soil ESP or increased depths of irrigation. The maximum grain yield was obtained when 30 mm irrigation water was applied at ESP 35. Results indicated that at any specified ESP, WUE increased with the amountof water applied up to 27 mm. Water production function was also fitted with data on wheat yield, soil ESP and depth of irrigation water.