Investigating the effects of different amounts of A۲۰۰ hydrogel and vermicompost on wheat crop under deficit irrigation

The intensification of drought and water stress caused by climate change is a major factor in yield and productivity reduction in the agricultural sector in arid and semi-arid environments. Agricultural lands are often sorely affected by water tension caused by scarce and low precipitation. This research evaluated the effect of different amounts of water, vermicompost and hydrogel used to save the soil water content on wheat grain and biomass yield. Hence, an experiment was conducted at the research farm of Kashmar higher education institute to evaluate the effects of different amounts of hydrogel and vermicompost on wheat biomass and grain yield. Experimental treatments were included: four levels of A۲۰۰ hydrogel (i.e. ۰(S۰), ۰.۱(S۱), ۰.۲ (S۲) and ۰.۳ (S۳) wt. %) plus four levels of vermicompost (۰(V۰), ۷(V۱), ۱۰(V۲) and ۱۵(V۳) tons per hectare) and three levels of irrigation water (۶۰(W۱), ۸۰(W۲) and ۱۰۰(W۳) percent of wheat water requirement). The experiment was carried out in a randomized completely block design (RCBD) in a factorial arrangement as a pot experiment in ۱۴۴ pots. The results showed that the highest amount of biomass and grain yield was obtained in S۳V۳W۳ treatment amounting of ۸۱.۷ and ۳۵ grams per pot, respectively. Also, the lowest biomass and grain yield was achieved in S۰V۰W۱ treatment at the rate of ۳۵ and ۱۰.۲ gram per pot, respectively. Furthermore, grain and biomass yield were significantly affected (P ≤ ۰.۰۵) by different amounts of hydrogel and vermicompost under varying irrigation water levels. However, application of hydrogel and vermicompost compounds was not significant on the wheat yields. Overall, the best economic value for achieving the highest amount of grain yield was observed in (S۲, ۰.۲%) of A۲۰۰ hydrogel and (V۲, ۱۰ ton/ha) of Vermicompost. Similarly, the highest amount of biomass was obtained in the (S۳, ۰.۳%) treatment of A۲۰۰ hydrogels and ۱۵ ton/ha (V۳) of vermicompost. Based on the results, the application of moisture absorbents can be effective in increasing wheat yield in water deficit conditions in the arid and semi-arid environment.

Keywords:

Agricultural , Cereals , Kashmar , Pot , Water Stress