Use of cropwat model to optimize irrigation in wheat

Water is a scarce resource and agriculture sector is one of the major consumers of water (more than 85%). Improving water efficiency in irrigated agriculture is thus a priority for better environmental and economic performance. The study was conducted using CROPWAT to determine the optimum irrigation scheduling in wheat crop for part of central Punjab. From the study, it was concluded that applying 4 irrigations of 51.7, 75.1, 76.3 and 78.1 mm at 45^th, 86^th, 116^th and 138^th days to wheat crop can result in 48mm saving in water without any effect on yield.