Growth dynamics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different planting methods and irrigation levels

Field experiments were conducted to study the growth dynamics of wheat on a sandy loam soil during two consecutive rabi seasons. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising of two planting methods (flat planting and bed planting) and five irrigation levels. Crop growth rate (CGR) was lower during initial crop growth stages and increased afterward gradually. On the other hand, relative growth rate (RGR) was higher during early growth of the crop and it decreased as the crop advanced towards maturity. Leaf area ratio was also higher initially and it decreased with the crop growth as dry matter accumulation increase was higher, but the leaf area decreased as the crop approached maturity. Polynomial relationship was observed between dry matter production and grain yield (r² = 0.93) as well as between grain yield and other growth parameters viz. leaf area index (r² = 0.53), effective tiller number/m² (r² = 0.61), number of spikelets/spike (r² = 0.83), number of grains per ear (r² = 0.45) and ear length (r² = 0.72).