EFFECT OF SOIL PROFILE TYPE AND FERTILIZER ON MOISTURE USE BY WHEAT GROWN ON FALLOW OR STUBBLE LAND

Abstract

Equations describing yield as a function of moisture use arc reported for fallow-seeded wheat for the years 1960 to 1965, inclusive, and for wheat seeded on stubble land from 1964 to 1967. In general, yields increased linearly with water use; second-degree functions did not greatly increase the correlation, but represent more realistic yield functions. The increase in yield per cm water used was larger on fallow than on stubble land, and increased with fertilization. Growing season precipitation ranged from 5 to 26 cm during the study period; the long-term average is 19 cm. Mean yields for unfertilized and fertilized fallow and stubble wheat were 1,500 and 1,860 kg/ha, and 1,340 and 1,720 kg/ha, respectively.Yield, water used, and water use efficiency varied somewhat, depending on whether the crop was grown on a knoll, upper slope, lower slope, or in depressional areas.