POTENTIAL EFFECT OF BED-FURROW PLANTING IMPROVED THE WHEAT GRAINS PRODUCTIVITY UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

Limited water availability in future due to climate change may impact wheat yield and the food security. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the agronomic solutions to reduce the drought induce yield losses in wheat. Planting method affects wheat yield by changing the soil water status and root growth. This 2-year study was designed to evaluate the impact of various planting methods along-with water irrigation deficit regimes at different growth stages on wheat yield and net returns. The experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications using two-way factorial arrangements. The experiment consisted of five planting methods (PM) viz. conventional broadcasting-PM, ridge-PM, bed-furrow-PM, gap-chat-PM and line-PM; and three water regimes viz., well-watered condition, mild and sever-terminal drought stress (TDS). The results revealed that wheat crop grown under bed-furrow-PM had better morphological growth under well-watered condition, and the crop grown under the same planting method performed better for morphological traits under mild-TDS and sever-TDS during both years. Irrometer Tensiometer was used to check the moisture stress level during terminal drought conditions. Better performance of wheat under mild-TDS and sever-TDS in bed-furrow-PM was the outcome of better antioxidants enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities which was later translated into better wheat yield and high net returns under water stress than other planting methods. In conclusion, bed-furrow-PM is the most suitable method for profitable wheat production in arid and semiarid region under water limited scenarios.