Improving Water Use Efficiency and Wheat Productivity By Bed Technique and Nitrogen Application Methods

Osman, E. A.M., Abd El-Latif, K.M., M.H. Abdelal and E. S. Kassem

Abstract

Raised bed cultivation system for wheat production is a new technique nowadays; changing agricultural practices of wheat from flat to bed planting system required changing application methods of nitrogen fertilizer. A field experiment was conducted during 2015/16 and 2016/17 winter seasons at Giza Agricultural Research Station, ARC, Egypt. These trials aiming at evaluating three cultivation methods: wheat (Masr2) on raised bed (RB) techniques (120, 100 cm and normal surface irrigation practice, NSIP) and three nitrogen application methods, (between RB, on RB and broadcasted). Generally, in most cases, wheat sown on raised bed (RB) 120 or 100 cm with N fertilizer application between RB gave the highest significant values of 1000 grain weight, number and weight of grain spike-1 as well as grain, straw and biological yields, also grains N, P and K uptake and protein percentage compared with another nitrogen application methods and normal surface irrigation practice (NSIP) with broadcast in both seasons. Less seasonal values applied irrigation water for raised bed (RB) techniques were (1835 and 1902) and (1849 and 1925) for the 120 cm and 100 cm treatments comparing with (NSIP) in both seasons in 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons, respectively. The highest water consumptive use values resulted from (NSIP) were 1645 and 1651 more than those recorded under 120 cm and 100 cm treatments in 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons, respectively. The highest water use efficiency and water productivity values were higher under raised bed method (120 cm) with N fertilizer application between RB treatments in 2015/16 and 2016/17, seasons, respectively.

Key words

Water saving, surface irrigation, raised bed, wheat productivity