Effect of Crop Establishment Methods and Irrigation Scheduling on Growth and Soil Nutrient Status of Wheat

Abstract

This split-plot experiment conducted during the rabi seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, delved into the intricate relationships between crop establishment methods and irrigation scheduling on wheat crop height and soil nutrient content. Employing a split-plot design with three main plot treatments—Conventional, Zero tillage, and Raised bed method—and five sub-plot treatments based on irrigation scheduling using maximum allowable depletion (MAD) of available soil water, the study revealed that raised bed sowing significantly enhanced plant height, with the peak observed under the Crown Root Initiation (CRI) + 30% depletion of available soil moisture (DASM) treatment at all observation stages. Notably, despite these pronounced effects on plant growth, the chosen crop establishment methods and irrigation schedules did not result in any significant differences in the available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) in the soil after the wheat harvest. This nuanced exploration of agricultural practices emphasizes the complexity of nutrient dynamics in soil-plant systems and underscores the necessity for further research to refine nutrient management strategies and promote sustainable wheat cultivation practices.