Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.

Sci (2018) Special Issue-7: 4959-4965

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2319-7706 Special Issue-7 pp. 4959-4965
Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Original Research Article

Effect of Water Management and Seeding Time on
Water Productivity of Wheat

Swati Shabnam*, M. K. Singh, R. P. Manjhi, M. S. Yadava and Abhay Kumar

Department of Agronomy, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi- 834008,

Jharkhand, India
*Corresponding author

ABSTRACT

A two year experiment was conducted at Ranchi to study the effect of seeding time (30
October, 15 November, 30 November, 15 December and 30 December) and irrigation (3 at
CRI + boot + milk, 5 at CRI+ late jointing + flowering + milk + dough and at IW: CPE
ratio) on growth, development and productivity of wheat. Wheat crop receiving 5
irrigations recorded maximum grain yield (3.76 t/ha), straw yield (5.91 t/ha), harvest index
(38.90 per cent) as well as higher net return (Rs 37070/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.5) with
a higher consumptive water use of 459.03 mm/ha. Higher yield and economic returns with
Keywords 5 irrigation was due to better growth parameters like dry matter accumulation at maturity
Wheat, water
(971.52 g/m2), leaf area index at 70 DAS (3.85) and crop growth rate between 70 and 90
management, DAS (21.96 g/m2/day) and higher yield attributing characters like number of spikes/m2
water productivity (327.56) and number of grains/spike (45.30). Similarly, wheat crop sown on 15 November
produced more grains (4.47 t/ha) and straw (6.71 t/ha) with a higher harvest index (39.79
per cent) and recorded higher net return (Rs. 48551/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.01) using
more water (consumptive water use 429.56 mm/ha) with higher water use efficiency (10.45
kg grain/mm/ha). Higher yield and economic returns in the wheat crop sown on 15
November can be attributed to better growth (DMA at maturity 1157.37 g/m2, LAI at 70
DAS 4.43, CGR between 70 and 90 DAS 24.70 g/m2/day) and yield attributing characters
(spikes/m2 370.94, grains/spike 47.06 and 1000 grain weight 40.93g).

Introduction

Wheat is the most important food crop, the rate and duration of growth. High
grown extensively throughout the world temperature reduces tillering during
over a range of environments. In India it is vegetative phase and grain filling duration
the second important crop after rice. Wheat during reproductive phase in normal sown
compares well with other important cereals conditions, thus shortens wheat growing
in its nutritive value as it contains more period vis-à-vis yield (Swaminathan 2010).
protein than any other cereal. However, However, favorable soil moisture regime
productivity of wheat depends largely on the can be created by timely scheduling of
prevailing weather condition and soil irrigation which can take care of deleterious
moisture regime during crop growth period. effect of low and high temperature during
Temperature, a key component of climate, vegetative and reproductive growth phases
determines seeding time and consequently respectively (Pal et al., 2001). In the era of
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changing climate, especially increasing after 24 hrs of each irrigation was taken for
temperature will be the major challenge in determination of consumptive water use.
the coming years as far as increasing wheat
yield is concerned. In this situation, Results and Discussion
reassessment of seeding time is necessary
for higher yield of wheat. In the light of Growth and development
above facts, an experiment was conducted to
study the effect of seeding time and Tillers per unit area increased with crop age
irrigation on growth, development and and reached its peak at 60 days after sowing
productivity of wheat, in agroclimatic and thereafter decreased due to mortality of
conditions of Jharkhand. tillers. Mortality of tillers with crop age is a
common phenomenon, which might be due
Materials and Methods to the fact that the amount of resources
available to the plants is not sufficient to
Field experiments were conducted during produce enough photosynthate to maintain
winter seasons of 2010-11 and 2011-12 at all the tillers produced. Tillers per unit area
the University farm of Birsa Agricultural was not affected by irrigation till 60 days
University, Ranchi (23o 17’ N latitude, 85o after sowing, but thereafter crop with 5
10’ E longitude and 625 m above mean sea irrigations recorded maximum number of
level). The soil was sandy loam (Alfisol), tillers (340/m2) due to higher tiller mortality
low in available N (217.8 Kg/ha) and in 3 irrigations (Table 1). Further, timely
medium in available P (12.43 Kg/ha) and sown crop produced higher tillers per unit
exchangeable K (153.04 Kg/ha). The main- area (490/m2 at 60 DAS) than early,
plot treatments consisted of three irrigation moderately late, late and very late planted
levels, viz. three irrigations at crown root crop at all the growth stages. This might be
initiation, boot and milk stages, five due to decreasing temperature regime from
irrigations at crown root initiation, timely sowing to late and very late caused
maximum tillering, late jointing, flowering delay in emergence of seedlings, as a result
and milk stages and irrigation on the basis of late and very late sown crops took more time
IW: CPE ratio 0.9 and subplots consisted of to reach crown root initiation which
5 sowing dates, viz. 30 October, 15 consequently reduced the tillering phase.
November, 30 November, 15 December and Although temperature was favorable for
30 December laid out in split-plot design tillers production with delayed planted crops
with four replications. Number of irrigations but sudden rise in temperature reduced the
in IW: CPE ratio was different for sowing tillering duration of the crop, consequently
dates, 6 in 30 October, 5 each in 15 and 30 reducing the production of less tillers. This
November and 4 each in 15 and 30 confirms the findings of Verma et al.,
December. Wheat variety K9107 was sown (1997).
at a spacing of 20 cm apart with a seed rate
of 125 kg seed/ha and fertilized with Applying irrigation 5 times or on the basis
100:60:40 kg/ha N:P2O5:K2O. Half N with of IW: CPE ratio significantly increased the
full P and K were applied basal in furrows. duration of each phenophase after maximum
Remaining half of N was applied in two tillering, as compared to 3 irrigations.
equal splits at crown root initiation and Similarly, timely planted crop took more
maximum tillering stage. Periodic soil days to attain various phenophases than
samples from sowing to harvest, before and moderately late, late and very late planted

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crops, except crown root initiation which (Table 3). This might be due to timely
was achieved early in timely planted crop planted crop experienced relatively
(Table 1). Delayed planted crops completed favorable temperature regime during pre and
their life cycle in lesser number of days at an post anthesis which resulted in better growth
accelerated pace leading to shortening of and development and ultimately led to better
every phenophase. yield components than delayed planted
crops (Table 2) which was reflected in grain
This consequently gave more time to timely yield (Jhanji and Gill 2011 and Pandey et
sown crop for completion of every al., 2010,). Mean spikes per unit area
phenophase, such as tillering and grain (371/m2), grains per spike (47/spike) and
filling, resulting in higher tillers count, grain more 1000 seed weight (40.93 g) than the
per spike and thousand grain weight, and crop planted early, moderately late, late or
ultimately the yield of timely sown crop. very late. Mean straw yield (6.71 t/ha when
Similar results were found by Shivani et al., planted on 15 November) as well as harvest
(2003). index (39.79 per cent when planted on 15
November) followed the trend of grain
Yield and yield attributes yield.

Grain as well as straw yield increased with Economics

increasing irrigation level. Mean grain yield
of wheat with 5 irrigations at CRI, Performance of a production system must be
maximum tillering, late jointing, flowering evaluated, not only on the basis of yield but
and milk (3.76 t/ha) was 26 per cent more its economic values. Wheat crop with 5
than irrigation applied on 3 growth stages irrigations resulted in higher net return (Rs
viz. CRI, boot and milk, and 7 per cent more 37070/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.5) than 3
than irrigation on the basis of IW: CPE ratio irrigations and irrigation on IW: CPE ratio
(Table 3). (Table 3).

Similarly, crop with 5 irrigations (5.91 t/ha) This was because with same input cost the
gave 16 per cent higher straw yield than grain and straw yield increased with increase
crop with 3 irrigations. Crop irrigated 5 in frequency in irrigation resulting in higher
times also gave higher harvest index (38.90 monetary return. Similarly, benefit: cost
per cent). The higher grain yield was due to ratio (2.01), were higher in timely sown crop
better expression of yield components than early, moderately late, late and very
(Table 2) viz. mean spikes per unit area late sowing due to higher grain yield and
(328), grains per spike (45) and 1000 seed straw yield with the same input cost in
weight (39.91 g) under favorable soil timely sown condition which decreased with
moisture condition (Nadeem et al., 2007). delay in sowing.

Timely planted (15 November) wheat gave Similarly, net return (Rs 48551/ha) as well
mean grain yield of 4.47 t/ha which was 16 as benefit: cost ratio (2.01), were higher in
per cent higher than October 30 sowing and timely sown crop than early, moderately
reduced by 24 per cent when sowing was late, late and very late sowing due to higher
delayed to 30 November, 33 per cent when grain yield and straw yield with the same
delayed to 15 December, and 46 per cent input cost in timely sown condition which
when planting was delayed to 30 December decreased with delay in sowing.

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Table.1 Number of days taken to various phenophases and periodic tillers count of wheat influenced by irrigation and seeding date
(mean of two years)

Treatment Crown root Maximum tillering Flowering Maturity Tillers/m2

initiation 40 DAS 40 DAS 40 DAS
Irrigation level
3 irrig. 22.78 46.78 85.60 121.68 407.06 427.63 299.94
5 irrig. 22.65 46.73 87.33 124.45 421.94 446.00 340.25
IW/CPE ratio 0.9 22.58 46.78 87.10 124.33 396.19 429.25 335.38
CD(P=0.05) NS NS 0.40 0.53 NS NS 26.33
Seeding time
30 Oct 21.21 46.08 87.67 137.88 402.81 406.35 353.33
15 Nov 21.88 45.83 89.13 132.75 466.88 489.58 380.94
30 Nov 21.88 46.04 90.50 125.79 458.96 485.63 358.44
15 Dec 25.67 52.29 87.67 117.17 388.44 401.15 291.35
30 Dec 22.71 43.54 78.42 103.83 324.90 388.75 241.88
CD(P=0.05) 0.26 0.39 0.36 0.61 36.49 38.12 29.76

Table.2 Yield attributes, yield, harvest index and economics of wheat influenced by irrigation and seeding date (mean of two years)

Treatment Spikes /m2 Grains/spike 1000 grain Yield (t/ha) Harvest Net return Benefit :cost
weight (g) Grain Straw index (%) (Rs./ha) ratio
Irrigation level
3 irrig. 289.21 43.08 39.20 36.41 11.81 36.41 27050 1.18
5 irrig. 327.56 45.30 39.91 38.90 11.29 38.90 37070 1.50
IW/CPE ratio 0.9 325.50 44.83 39.83 38.62 11.40 38.62 33583 1.37
CD(P=0.05) 27.65 0.89 NS 0.85 0.15 0.85 2630 0.11
Seeding time
30 Oct 343.33 44.99 40.16 37.90 10.52 37.90 39498 1.62
15 Nov 370.94 47.06 40.93 39.79 10.44 39.79 48551 2.01
30 Nov 344.25 44.93 39.86 38.43 10.66 38.43 31976 1.32
15 Dec 278.87 43.05 39.10 37.95 11.94 37.95 26013 1.09
30 Dec 233.06 41.98 38.18 35.81 13.94 35.81 16799 0.70
CD(P=0.05) 28.48 0.65 1.09 1.80 0.27 1.80 2591 0.11

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Table.3 Net return (Rs. /ha) of wheat influenced by Irrigation X Seeding time
(Mean of two years)

30 October 15 November 30 November 15 December 30 December

3 irrig. 35720 43632 27070 20648 8178
5 irrig. 46677 53077 36144 28580 20874
IW/CPE ratio 0.9 36098 48944 32716 28813 21346
CD 4782

Table.4 Benefit: cost ratio of wheat influenced by Irrigation X Seeding time (mean of two years)

30 October 15 November 30 November 15 December 30 December

3 irrig. 1.56 1.90 1.18 0.90 0.36
5 irrig. 1.89 2.15 1.46 1.16 0.85
IW/CPE ratio 0.9 1.41 1.98 1.33 1.21 0.90
CD 4782

Table.5 Consumptive water use and water use efficiency of wheat influenced by irrigation and
seeding time (mean of two years)

Treatments Cunsumptive water Use (mm) Water use efficiency (kg grain/ha-mm)
Irrigation level
3 irrig. 346.37 8.66
5 irrig. 459.03 8.20
IW/CPE ratio 0.9 398.67 8.90
CD(P=0.05) 11.46 NS
Seeding time
30 Oct 400.12 10.02
15 Nov 429.56 10.45
30 Nov 412.39 8.30
15 Dec 383.70 7.80
30 Dec 379.02 6.36
CD(P=0.05) 13.04 0.52

In interaction between irrigation and seeding CPE ratio (Table 4). Similarly, consecutive
time, maximum net return was recorded reduction in benefit: cost ratio was 1.54 and
when wheat crop was sown on 15 November 1.08 in 3 irrigation and irrigation based on
irrigated at 5 different stages of growth IW: CPE ratio. However, maximum benefit:
(53077 Rs/ha) while wheat sown on 15 cost ratio (2.15) was recorded in the
November and irrigated on the basis of IW: treatment where wheat was sown on 15
CPE ratio also gave similar gross return. November and irrigated 5 times (Table 5).
Maximum reduction in net return (Rs. 35454
/ha), when sowing was delayed from 15 Water use
November to 30 December, was recorded in
the treatment receiving 3 irrigations which Consumptive water use of wheat, an evapo-
was lowered down to Rs. 8178/ha when transpiration demand, depends upon various
irrigation was applied on the basis of IW: factors viz. varieties, climatic conditions

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coupled with irrigation schedules. It Jhanji, S. and Gill, D.S. 2011. Phenological
increases with increase in irrigation development and heat unit
frequency because of direct relationship of requirement of wheat under different
evapo-transpiration to the amount of dates of sowing. Indian Journal of
moisture present in the soil in timely or late Agricultural Research. 45 (2): 161-
planted wheat (Reddy and Bhardwaj 1982). 166.
Crop with irrigation at crown root initiation, Nadeem, M.A., Tanveer, A., Ali, A., Ayub,
maximum tillering, late jointing, flowering M. and Tahir, M. 2007. Effect of weed
and milk recorded higher seasonal control practice and irrigation levels
consumptive water use (459.03 mm) on weeds and yield of wheat (Triticum
coupled with water use efficiency (8.19 kg aestivum). Indian Journal of
grain/ha-mm) than the crop grown with 3 Agronomy. 52 (1): 60-63.
irrigations at crown root initiation, boot and Pandey, I.B., Pandey, R.K., Dwivedi, D.K.
milk stages and at IW: CPE ratio, owing to and Singh, R.S. 2010. Phenology, heat
more leaf area index, crop growth rate and unit requirement and yield of wheat
thus biomass production with increased (Triticum aestivum) varieties under
availability of water (Table 6). Sharma et different crop growing environment.
al., (2007) also obtained higher consumptive Indian Journal of Agricultural
water use with increasing soil moisture Sciences. 80 (2): 136-140.
regime due to better soil moisture Reddy, A.S. and Bhardwaj, R.B.L. 1982.
availability and higher plant canopy cover Water use studies in wheat influenced
which led to more evapo-transpiration under by nitrogen and phosphorus under
higher frequency of irrigation. limited and adequate irrigation. Indian
Journal of Agronomy. 29 (4): 505-509.
Timely seeded wheat had higher seasonal Sharma, A., Singh, H. and Nanwal, R.K.
consumptive water use (429.56 mm), as well 2007. Effect of integrated nutrient
as water use efficiency (10.45 kg grain/ha- management on productivity of wheat
mm water) which decreased with delay in (Triticum aestivum) under limited and
sowing. The higher water requirement of adequate irrigation supplies. Indian
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Shivani et al., (2003). irrigation levels. Indian Journal of
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