Root growth, yield and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum) as affected by irrigation and tillage practices in south Bihar

A field experiment was carried out during 3 winter seasons from 2000–01 to 2002–03 at Patna, to find out effect of tillage practices, viz. zero tillage, bed planting and conventional, and irrigation levels, viz. 3, 5, 7 and 9 cm depth on rooting behaviour, yield and economics of wheat [(Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] in Ustipsamment soils. Root characters like area (10.5 cm2) and length (48.1 cm) were highest in bed planting, followed by conventional and zero tillage at tillering as well as flowering stages. Highest grain yield of 36.6 q/ha was obtained in zero tillage, followed by conventional tillage (34.1 q/ha) and bed planting (31.5 q/ha). Irrigation at 7 cm water depth resulted in maximum grain (34.2 q/ha) and straw yields. Highest water-use efficiency (375 kg/ha-cm) was recorded with bed planting. A significant positive linear relationship was observed between irrgation depths and root growth and grain yield.