Influence of Irrigation and Nitrogen levels on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Semi-Arid condition of Rajasthan

Introduction

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important staple cereal crops and a major source of food and nutrition worldwide. In India, it plays a vital role in food security and ranks second after rice among cereal crops (Sharma and Sharma 2025). Wheat provides more than 50% of the calories for populations that largely depend on it. Major wheat-producing countries include China, India, Russia, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In India, wheat is mainly cultivated in the north-western and central regions. During 2023-24, wheat occupied about 32 million ha with a production of 116.21 million tonnes. Among major cereals, wheat ranks second in area and production after rice but first in productivity, contributing significantly to the dietary energy supply (Gupta et al. 2025) [7] . Rajasthan is one of the major wheat-producing states in India, contributing about 9.8-10 million tonnes of wheat from nearly 3.0-3.2 million hectares during 2024-25, with an average productivity of 3500-3800 kg ha⁻¹. Important wheat-growing districts include Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Alwar, Bharatpur, Kota, and Jaipur. Irrigation facilities, particularly the Indira Gandhi Canal and groundwater resources, support wheat cultivation, although productivity is often affected by climatic variability and water availability. The major cultivated wheat species are Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, and Triticum dicoccum, among which Triticum aestivum is the most widely grown due to its high yield potential and adaptability (Balla et al. 2022) [2] . Wheat grain contains about 11-13% protein along with carbohydrates, minerals, and other essential nutrients.

It is used for preparing chapati, bread, biscuits, and bakery products, while wheat straw serves as an important livestock feed and raw material for rural industries. With the increasing population and limited scope for expanding cultivated land, enhancing wheat productivity has become essential. Improved varieties and scientific agronomic practices such as optimum sowing time, balanced fertilization, efficient irrigation scheduling, and weed management are important for achieving higher yields. Irrigation management is particularly crucial in arid and semi-arid regions like Rajasthan (Farouk et al. 2024) [6] . Irrigation scheduling involves deciding the timing and quantity of water application according to crop requirements and environmental conditions. Scheduling may be based on soil moisture status, critical growth stages, or climatological approaches such as the IW/CPE ratio. Efficient irrigation methods improve water use efficiency and help meet crop water requirements effectively. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth as it is a major component of chlorophyll and proteins. Its requirement varies with soil type, climate, crop demand, and moisture availability. Nitrogen fertilization increases biomass production, root growth, grain yield, and soil fertility through greater residue addition. It also improves grain protein content and milling quality (Chevalier et al. 2025). Since most Indian soils are deficient in nitrogen, its balanced application is necessary. Nitrogen deficiency causes yellowing and stunted growth, whereas excessive application may increase pest incidence, weed growth, and cultivation costs. Therefore, judicious nutrient management is essential for sustainable wheat production, thus an experiment was carried out to see the influence of irrigation and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in semi-arid condition of Rajasthan.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted in Rabi season of the year 2025-2026 in the Department of Agriculture, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur Rajasthan, to influence of irrigation and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Semi-Arid condition of Rajasthan. The experimental site is situated at 26 0 5" N latitude, and 75 0 28" E longitude at the elevation of 427 m above the MSL. The climate of this region is typically semi-arid, characterized by extremes of temperature during both summers and winters. During summers, the temperature may go as high as 48 °C, while in winters, it may fall as low as -1.0°C. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (Factorial analysis) with a total of 36 plots, with 4 m × 3 m plot size. The experiment consisted of the four levels of irrigation scheduling, viz. I1-5 Irrigation (CRI + Tillering+ Jointing+ Flowering+ Grain Filling), I2-4 Irrigation (CRI + Tillering+ Flowering+ Grain Filling), I3 3 Irrigation (CRI +Flowering+ Grain Filling) and I4 IW/CPE ratio 0.8 (5 irrigations) and three nitrogen level i.e., N1 100 Kg/ha, N2 120 Kg/ha and N3 140 Kg/ha. Wheat Raj 4079 variety was sown at 22.5 cm row spacing. The entire dose of phosphorus (DAP) and potassium (MOP) were applied across the field before sowing. However, nitrogen was applied in desired quantity as per treatment requirement. At harvest, crop growth attributes were assessed using five randomly selected plants per plot. grain and stover yield were collected from the net plot at the harvest time and values are expressed in q ha -1 . Analysis followed Cox and Cochran, (1957) [5] method, with significance tested at p < 0.05.

Results

The data pertaining to growth attributes as influenced by different irrigation and nitrogen levels are presented in Table 1. The growth parameters of wheat were significantly affected by irrigation and nitrogen levels. Among the irrigation levels, I 1: 5 irrigations (CRI + Tillering + Jointing + Flowering + Grain Filling) recorded the maximum plant height at harvest (109.42 cm), which was significantly superior to all other irrigation treatments. It was followed by I 2: 4 irrigations (CRI + Tillering + Flowering + Grain Filling) with a plant height of 100.24 cm. The minimum plant height (89.42 cm) was recorded under I 3: 3 irrigations (CRI + Flowering + Grain Filling), which remained statistically at par with I 4: IW/CPE ratio 0.8 (91.26 cm). Among the nitrogen levels, N 3: 140 kg N ha⁻¹ recorded the tallest plants at harvest (104.60 cm), followed by N 2: 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (100.22 cm), while the shortest plants (97.25 cm) were recorded under N 1: 100 kg N ha⁻¹. The number of tillers m⁻¹ row length at harvest was significantly influenced by irrigation scheduling. The highest number of tillers m⁻¹ row length (91.48) was recorded under I 1: 5 irrigations, followed by I 2: 4 irrigations (86.41). The lowest number of tillers m⁻¹ row length (82.10) was observed under I 4: IW/CPE ratio 0.8, which remained statistically at par with I 3: 3 irrigations (84.62). Similarly, among nitrogen levels, N 3: 140 kg N ha⁻¹ recorded the maximum number of tillers m⁻¹ row length (92.52), followed by N 2: 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (86.32), whereas the minimum number of tillers m⁻¹ row length (81.15) was recorded under N 1: 100 kg N ha⁻¹. Leaf area index (LAI) at 90 DAS was also significantly affected by irrigation levels. The maximum LAI (5.01) was recorded under I 1: 5 irrigations, followed by I 2: 4 irrigations (4.78) and I 4: IW/CPE ratio 0.8 (4.70). The minimum LAI (4.32) was recorded under I 3: 3 irrigations. Among the nitrogen levels, N 3: 140 kg N ha⁻¹ recorded the maximum LAI (4.86), followed by N 2: 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (4.75), whereas the minimum LAI (4.52) was recorded under N 1: 100 kg N ha⁻¹. Dry matter accumulation was significantly influenced by different irrigation treatments. The maximum dry matter accumulation (372.65 g row length⁻¹) was recorded under I 1: 5 irrigations, followed by I 2: 4 irrigations (346.38 g row length⁻¹). The minimum dry matter accumulation (306.79 g row length⁻¹) was observed under I 3: 3 irrigations, which remained statistically at par with I 4: IW/CPE ratio 0.8 (317.22 g row length⁻¹). Among the nitrogen levels, the maximum dry matter accumulation (365.57 g row length⁻¹) was recorded under N 3: 140 kg N ha⁻¹, followed by N 2: 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (344.33 g row length⁻¹), whereas the minimum dry matter accumulation (324.36 g row length⁻¹) was recorded under N 1: 100 kg N ha⁻¹. The data pertaining to grain yield, straw yield and harvest index as influenced by different irrigation and nitrogen levels are presented in Table 2. Among the irrigation levels, I 1: 5 irrigations (CRI + Tillering + Jointing + Flowering + Grain Filling) recorded the highest grain yield (46.65 q ha -1 ), which was significantly superior to all other irrigation treatments. It was followed by I 2: 4 irrigations (41.23 q ha -1 ). The lowest grain yield (36.43 q ha -1 ) was recorded under I 3: 3 irrigations (CRI + Flowering + Grain Filling), which remained statistically at par with I 4: IW/CPE ratio 0.8 (38.07 q ha -1 ). Among the nitrogen levels, N 3: 140 kg N ha -1 recorded the maximum grain yield (47.21 q ha -1 ), which was significantly higher than N 2: 120 kg N ha -1 (40.67 q ha -1 ) and N 1: 100 kg N ha -1 (38.08 q ha -1 ). The minimum grain yield was recorded under N 1: 100 kg N ha -1 . However, N 1 and N 2 remained statistically at par. Straw yield was significantly influenced by irrigation and nitrogen levels. Among the irrigation treatments, the maximum straw yield (89.44 q ha -1 ) was recorded under I 1: 5 irrigations, followed by I 2: 4 irrigations (80.59 q ha -1 ). The minimum straw yield (71.03 q ha -1 ) was observed under I 3: 3 irrigations, which remained statistically at par with I 4: IW/CPE ratio 0.8 (72.15 q ha -1 ), as the difference between these treatments was less than the CD value (8.81 q ha -1 ). Among the nitrogen levels, N 3: 140 kg N ha -1 recorded the highest straw yield (86.82 q ha -1 ), followed by N 2: 120 kg N ha -1 (81.64 q ha -1 ), while the lowest straw yield (73.72 q ha -1 ) was recorded under N 1: 100 kg N ha -1 . The treatments N 2 and N 3 remained statistically at par, whereas both were significantly superior to N 1 . Harvest index was not significantly affected by different irrigation and nitrogen levels.

Discussion

The increase in plant height under higher irrigation frequency might be due to adequate soil moisture availability throughout the crop growth period, which enhanced nutrient uptake, cell elongation and photosynthetic activity. The lowest plant height was observed under I 3: 3 Irrigation (CRI + Flowering + Grain Filling) with values of 48.12 cm, 76.21 cm and 89.42 cm at respective stages. This reduction may be attributed to moisture stress during critical growth stages, resulting in restricted vegetative growth and reduced metabolic activities. Similar results are observed by Ali et al. (2025) [1] . The increase in plant height with higher nitrogen application might be due to enhanced chlorophyll formation, protein synthesis and vigorous vegetative growth. The lowest plant height was recorded under 100 kg N ha -1 (N 1 ), which produced 49.46 cm, 79.96 cm and 97.25 cm plant height at respective growth stages. Nitrogen plays an important role in promoting meristematic activity and internodal elongation, thereby increasing plant height. The present findings are in close conformity with the findings of Baviskar et al. (2013) [3] . The improvement in tiller production under higher irrigation frequency might be attributed to the continuous availability of adequate soil moisture, which enhanced nutrient uptake, cell division and overall vegetative growth. The lowest number of tillers m -1 row length (82.10) was recorded under I₄, indicating that reduced moisture availability adversely affected tiller initiation and development. The present findings are in close conformity with the findings of Kumar et al. (2019) [8] . The increase in tiller production with higher nitrogen application

International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science https://www.agriculturaljournals.com might be due to enhanced chlorophyll synthesis, vigorous vegetative growth and improved nutrient availability. The lowest number of tillers m -1 row length (81.15) was recorded under 100 kg N ha -1 (N₁), which might be attributed to restricted cell division and reduced vegetative growth under lower nitrogen availability. Similar results are observed by Malve, (2015) [10] . [12] . The increase in dry matter accumulation under higher irrigation frequency might be due to adequate soil moisture availability throughout the crop growth period, resulting in enhanced nutrient uptake, photosynthetic efficiency and vegetative growth. The present findings are in close conformity with the findings of Shirazi et al. (2014) [14] . The increase in dry matter accumulation with higher nitrogen application might be due to enhanced chlorophyll formation, protein synthesis and vigorous vegetative growth, which improved photosynthetic activity and assimilate accumulation. The lowest dry matter accumulation was recorded under 100 kg N ha -1 (N1), which produced 69.68 g, 168.85 g and 324.36 g row length -1 at respective growth stages. Lower nitrogen availability might have restricted plant growth and biomass production. The present findings are in close conformity with the findings of Tripathi et al. (2013) [15] . The increase in grain and straw yield under higher irrigation frequency might be due to adequate moisture availability throughout the crop growth period, which enhanced nutrient uptake, photosynthetic activity, dry matter accumulation and efficient translocation of assimilates towards sink organs. The lowest grain yield (36.43 q ha -1 ) and straw yield (71.03 q ha -1 ) were recorded under I 3: 3 Irrigation (CRI + Flowering + Grain Filling). Moisture stress under limited irrigation schedules might have adversely affected vegetative growth, grain filling and biomass production. The present findings are in close conformity with the findings of Mahmood et al., (2002) [9] . The increase in grain and straw yield with higher nitrogen application might be due to enhanced vegetative growth, greater leaf area development, higher dry matter accumulation and improved translocation of assimilates towards grains. The lowest grain yield (38.08 q ha -1 ) and straw yield (73.72 q ha -1 ) were recorded under 100 kg N ha -1 (N 1 ). Lower nitrogen availability might have restricted crop growth, yield attributes and biomass production. The present findings are in close conformity with the findings of Narolia et al., (2016) [11] .

Conclusion

The results of the present investigation revealed that growth and yield of wheat were significantly influenced by irrigation and nitrogen levels. Application of five irrigations at CRI, tillering, jointing, flowering and grain filling stages (I 1 ) recorded significantly higher plant height (109.42 cm at harvest), grain yield (46.65 q ha⁻¹) and straw yield (89.44 q ha⁻¹). Among nitrogen levels, application of 140 kg N ha⁻¹ (N 3 ) recorded significantly higher grain yield (47.21 q ha⁻¹), straw yield (86.82 q ha⁻¹). Hence, these irrigation scheduling and nitrogen management practices can be increasing the growth and grain yield of wheat growers.

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