Exploiting Potential of Production Paradigm to Sustain Rainfed Wheat Yield
Exploiting Potential of Production Paradigm to Sustain Rainfed Wheat Yield
Muhammad Asim1*, Asghari Bano2, Sikander Khan Tanveer3 and Muhammad Umair Aslam4
ABSTRACT
Food security is of growing concern around the globe. Wheat, being one of the staple food commodities, is of utmost importance for millions. However, its productivity is determined by various genotypic, environmental and crop management factors. In this study, we elaborated the role of these factors, in rainfed agro-ecology, using data of six genotypes, grown in four sowing windows over six years. The rainfed wheat productivity is predominantly determined by environmental conditions, particularly rainfall induced moisture availability. Hence, the best match between sowing time and the environment prevailed at that time emerged as an important yield determining factor. Overall, grain yield varied between 2.5-4.9 t/ha in these genotypes, between 2.7-4.8 t/h over years and between 2.0-5.1 t/ha across sowing windows. Therefore, greater variation was observed with change in sowing time followed by genotypes. This management strategy holds for up to 67% variations in grain yield and other crop growth and development related parameters. These results highlighted the necessity to have genotypic diversity for best exploitation of the environmental conditions coupled with appropriate crop management strategy. The best match of this genotype × environment × management production paradigm could lead to sustained improvement in wheat grain yield.
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