Wheat farmers can boost yields and water efficiency by 63% with simple irrigation method
In a field experiment on wheat farming, different methods of using less water (deficit irrigation) were tested to see how they affect crop yield and water efficiency. The study compared three irrigation levels (100%, 75%, and 50% of the wheat's water need) and three irrigation methods (conventional furrow, fixed alternate furrow, periodic alternate furrow). Results showed that using only 75% of the water needed by wheat with fixed alternate furrow irrigation gave the best water use efficiency for grain yield. The fixed and periodic alternate furrow methods reduced yield when providing full water. The study suggests that using 75% water with fixed alternate furrow irrigation could help save water while maintaining wheat production efficiency in the area tested.