Response of wheat cultivers under varied irrigation regimes, temporal adjustments and locations in Punjab

Wheat is a predominant food crop of Punjab, contributing significantly towards state’s agricultural economy. However, the diverse agro-climatic zones of the state, ranging from the sub-montane regions to the plains and arid regions, exploring exclusive challenges for wheat cultivation in Punjab. To identify different varieties suitable for particular region as well as to optimize crop management practices, the comprehensive field trials were conducted aiming towards analysing the data and contributing towards the development of sustainable wheat production system in Punjab. A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive rabi seasons (2017–18 and 2018–19) at three different locations in Punjab (Ludhiana, Faridkot, and Ballowal Saunkhri). The experiment followed a factorial split plot design with three dates of sowing (D1, 25th October; D2, 15th November; D3, 5th December) and three wheat cultivars (V1, WH1105, V2, UNNAT PBW 550, V3, PBW 590) in the main plots, whereas two irrigation treatments (I1: Recommended, I2: Recommended ± weather forecast based) in the subplots. Across both seasons, the crop sown on 15th November consistently exhibited the highest tiller count (per/m2) and dry matter at harvest (g/m2) i.e. 120.0 and 388.4, 115.2 and 378.0 and 90 and 262.2 for Ludhiana, Faridkot and Ballowal Saunkhri respectively. At Ludhiana, Faridkot and Ballowal Saunkhri, the grain yield was 4.8 t/ha, 4.6 t/ha and 3.7 t/ha respectively for D2 which was significantly higher than D3 (4.2 t/ha, 3.8 t/ha and 3.0 t/ha) and at par with D1 (4.6 t/ha, 4.4 t/ha and 3.6 t/ha) for Ludhiana, Faridkot and Ballowal Saunkhri respectively). Among the cultivars, UNNAT PBW550 produced significantly more yield (4.8, 4.7 and 3.9 t/ha) than PBW 590 (4.0, 3.6 and 3.0 t/ha) for Ludhiana, Faridkot and Ballowal Saunkhri respectively. Ballowal Saunkhri recorded lowest grain yield among the different locations. Analysis indicated non-significant differences in yield under different irrigation schedules across the three sowing dates. it has been observed from the study that reduction in yield is caused with delay in sowing time of wheat, whereas scheduling irrigation based on weather forecast can be helpful in saving irrigation water and other resources.