EFFECT OF VARIOUS MOISTURE TENSIONS ON YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY SOME CEREAL CROPS

•Effect of low, medium and high moisture tensions on yield and nutrient uptake by wheat, barley and oat plants was studied to know the economic water levels for optimum nutrient absorption from soils. Both straw and particularly the grain yields of crops were severely reduced (8 -16 % and 25 - 41 % respectively as the avialable water supply was diminished from medium or high to low. However, the severity in the reduction of crop yields became milder (9 - 11% in grain and 3 - 5% in straw) as the available water was curtailed from high to medium. The concentration of nutrient elements in plants grown in any moisture tension generally decreased with time and increased with the rise in the moisture tension. Otherwise, the .concentration of nutrient elements in each crop plant was inconsistently affected by changes in the moisture tension. Generally, the contents of nutrient elements, except that of Fe and Mn,decreased with the fall in water supply. Iron and Mncontents, however, showed opposit trends.