Water Use Efficiency, Consumptive Use and Soil Moisture Extraction Pattern of Wheat as Influenced by Irrigation Schedules and Genotypes

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of irrigation schedules and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes on yield, consumptive use of water, soil moisture depletion pattern and water use efficiency at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (Karnataka) in the year 2001-02. The design of the experiment was split plot with three replications. The wheat crop irrigated six times (I₇ irrigation schedule) recorded significantly highest grain yield (2669 kg ha-1) compared to other irrigation schedules. Among the wheat genotypes, DWR-1006 (durum wheat) recorded significantly higher yield (2390 kg ha^-1) as compared to DWR-162 (aestivum wheat). The maximum consumptive use (485.5 mm) was found with frequently irrigated treatment (I₇) while the least consumptive use was registered with I₁ irrigation schedule. Similarly, among the different wheat genotypes, DWR-1006 showed higher consumptive use of water (335.1 mm). The maximum water use efficiency was found with I₂ irrigation schedule and with DWR-162. Wheat is a surface feeder, the maximum amount of moisture was depleted in shallow depth than deeper layer of soil.