COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SCIENTIFIC AND TRADITIONAL WATER APPLICATION PRACTICES FOR WHEAT CROP

Abstract

Farmers apply injudicious amount of water to crops, without considering the crop water requirement, which results in colossal wastage of water. However, the best way to apply water without undue excess is the application of water in a scientific manner. A study was carried out to compare the scientific and traditional water application practices for wheat crop. Scientific water application practice was provided at 50% depletion of soil moisture content and traditional water application practice was opted on the basis of farmers’ interviews. The scientific water application practice saved 20.85% of water    (P< 0.01), obtained 36% more yield (P< 0.01) and 50.56% more water use efficiency (P< 0.01) compared to traditional water application practice. It is concluded that water should be applied according to scientific water application practice; it not only saves water, but also increases yield.