Water dynamics, productivity and heat use efficiency responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum) to land configuration techniques and irrigation schedules

The present study was conducted during 2012–13 and 2013–14 to investigate the effect of different land configurations and irrigation schedules on soil water depletion, ground water contribution (GWC), productivity and heat use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Flori & Paol). Results of the two years study exhibited highest grain yield by 24.7% and 17.4%, water use efficiency (WUE) by 38.8% and 35.7%, respectively, under furrow irrigated raised beds (FIRBS) over conventional tillage (CT). Soil moisture depletion, GWC and total consumptive water use were lowered by 21% and 15%, 20% and 16%, and 12% and 9%, respectively over CT in both the years. Under zero tillage (ZT) condition, wheat accumulated highest growing degree days (GDD) of 3288°C day and 3321°C day, respectively. Furthermore, FIRBS and ZT plots accumulated additional heat units of 1000°C day-hour till maturity in both the years. Among the irrigation schedules, contribution of irrigation water towards consumptive water use was highest by 41.8% and 43.6% in IW:CPE=0.90 over others in 2 years, respectively. Irrigation water productivity (WPI) was highest by 45.8% and 43.3% in IW:CPE=0.75, respectively.