Response of four genotypes of wheat to lrrigation schedules

Abstract EN

Field study was carried out for two growing seasons (1994 and 1995) on sandy loam soil in the central region of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh area).

The aim of study was to examine the effect of three irrigation schedules (50 rom of water in each irrigation at 50, 100 and 150 mm of cumulative pan evaporation, CPE) on yield productivity and water use efficiency (WUEb) of four wheat genotypes (Yecora Rojo, L.9, L.ll and L.

18).

No significance differences were found between the two irrigation schedules (50 and 100 rom) in tillers number, straw and grain yields.

However, the irrigation of CPE 100 mm resulted in higher water use efficiency 28.6 &'ld 31.8 kg ha-I rom-I compared to 23.0 and 24.5 kg ha-1 mm-I at CPE 50 mm in 1994 and 1995, respectively.

Genotypic variations for straw yield and WUEb were found (at P = 0.05) in both growing seasons but not for grain yields.

This study has demonstrated the potential usefulness of CPE technique for scheduling irrigation under our arid region compared to the traditional irrigation applied method, which depends basically on time intervals.

Also, this study indicated that irrigation schedules at 100 rom CPE (600 rom of seasonal water applied) is more efficient and resulted in higher WUEb, so a portion of irrigation water can be conserved.