Irrigation boosts winter wheat yield in dry years, nitrogen plays supporting role.
In dry years, both watering and adding nitrogen to wheat fields can increase grain yield, with watering being more important. Watering during certain growth stages can boost yield, but too much watering with nitrogen as a base can have less of an effect. Not enough water can lower nitrogen efficiency and yield, but adding more nitrogen can help. The best results come from a good balance of watering and nitrogen to improve grain yield.