The effect of irrigation on the growth and yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

ABSTRACT: The effect of irrigation on the growth and development of winter wheat cultivars was studied. The experiment comprised of two cultivars of wheat, namely Baviaans, and 14SAWYT306; four levels of irrigation namely: I0 = no irrigation, I1 = irrigation up to stem extension, I2 = irrigation from stem extension up to physiological maturity, and I3 = irrigation throughout the growth stages. Significant difference in the cultivars was observed in the days to emergence, days to anthesis, number of tillers and number of grains per spike. Cultivar 14SAWYT306 took long to emerge and flower but matured at the same time as cultivar Baviaans. Cultivar Baviaans produced higher leaf area index, leaf dry mass, stem dry mass and more tillers than 14SAWYT306. More grains per spike, grain yield, harvest index and grain protein were recorded in cultivar 14SAWYT306. Irrigation significantly affected days to maturity, number of tillers, number of grains per spike and grain yield. Irrigation throughout the growth stages increased number of tillers, number of grains per spike, grain yield, harvest index and grain protein by 20.58%, 26.07%, 42.72%, 16.71% and 3.31% respectively over no irrigation.