Effect of Irrigation Regime on Growth and Development of Two Wheat Cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Nigerian Savanna

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at irrigation research stations of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Kadawa (11° 39’N, 08° 27’E, 500m asl). The objective was to study the effect of irrigation regime (60, 75 and 90% Available Soil Moisture (ASM) on the growth and yield of two recently introduced wheat cultivars (Siete cerros and Pavon 76). The result revealed that increase of irrigation regime from 60 to 90% ASM did not significantly affect most of the growth, yield and yield parameters evaluated in the study. Each increase in irrigation regime however increased days to maturity, water use and thermal time but decreased water use efficiency. Pavon 76 produced superior grain yield than Siete ceros only in one season. Pavon 76 had a higher LAI, more tillers and spikes/m2 and larger grain size, but had shorter plants, lower grain weight and grain number/spike and matured earlier than Siete cerros. Irrigation level of 60% ASM is recommended for both varieties in the Sudan savanna ecology. At this ASM the highest water use efficiency of 4.0-4.8kg/mm/ha was obtained and grain yield was not significantly compromised. Grain yield was more strongly correlated with grain weight per spike than with grain number per spike.