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Abstract

Improving water use efficiency is crucial since, in Pakistan, water is the main resource that limits crop productivity. A field study was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replicates at the research farm of the Arid Zone Research Centre, Dera Ismail Khan, to determine the effects of altered irrigation schedules on wheat growth, yield and water use efficiency (WUE). LI1 and LI2 (90 and 60 mm irrigation) at crown root, tillering and milking stages, LI3 (60 mm irrigation) at crown root and tillering stages and (90 mm irrigation) at milking stage, and LI4 (90 mm irrigation) at crown root stage and (60 mm irrigation) at tillering and milking stages, respectively, were the four irrigation levels used in the study. The results showed a non-significant impact of varying watering schedules on plant height, but a significant impact on growth and yield metrics was observed. The largest numbers of total tillers (634), grains per spike (49.65), grain yield (5.58 t ha-1), and WUE (25.62 kg ha-1 mm-1) were observed in the LI4 treatment. The most important stage for plants to withstand water stress is the crown root stage. Compared to earlier growth stages, it is imperative to apply irrigation water at crown root stage in arid climate to maximize productivity and WUE.

Article History

Received: Jul 02, 2025; Accepted: Jul 17, 2025; Published: Dec 30, 2025

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