Evaluating yield and water productivity of three bread wheat varieties under deficit furrow irrigation in the central rift valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

Water scarcity poses a major challenge to crop production, making efficient water use in irrigated agriculture essential. This study evaluated the effect of deficit irrigation on the yield and water productivity of three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties: Kekeba, Kingbird, and Daka. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement with three replications was used, applying four irrigation levels: 100% (control), 85, 70, and 55% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and three varieties via furrow irrigation. The irrigation water was applied at allowable moisture depletion. Wheat phenology, growth, yield, and water productivity were assessed. Irrigation levels and wheat varieties significantly influenced ( p < 0.01) all measured parameters, while their interaction showed no significant effect ( p > 0.05) other than wheat phenology and thousand seed weight. The highest thousand seed weight (39.0 g) were recorded from Daka under full irrigation (100% ETc), while the lowest (28.0 g) was from Kingbird at 55% ETc. Maximum water productivity (1.01 kg/m³) was obtained at 55% ETc, followed by 70% ETc (0.96 kg/m³), which was significantly higher than 85% ETc (0.89 kg/m³). The findings suggest that irrigating wheat at 70% ETc improves water productivity with insignificant yield loss. For regions prioritizing water savings, 55% ETc offers higher water use efficiency despite reduced yield.