Performance of Phytohormones under Distinct Levels of Drip Irrigation on Growth and Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Background: Agronomic practices such as the precise water application with drip irrigation and strategic use of phytohormones are crucial for optimizing wheat growth and productivity. This study assesses the performance of different phytohormones under distinct levels of drip irrigation on wheat. Methods: The research trail was conducted during rabi 2022-23, to evaluate the performance of distinct phytohormones (ABA, SA and GA) under varying levels of drip irrigation regimes on wheat (Triticum asetivum L.). The three drip irrigation levels were taken in main plots (1.0 ETc, 0.8 ETc, and 0.6 ETc) and three distinct phytohormone (ABA, SA, and GA) and water spray were taken as a subplot with three replications under split plot design. Result: The experimental results revealed that, drip irrigation at 1.0 ETc recorded significantly highest growth attributes i.e. plant height (83.32 cm), number of tillers (343.8 no.) and dry matter accumulation (688.4 g m-2) which was 8, 18, 5.6 % higher over drip irrigation level at 0.6 ETc and also foliar spray of salicylic acid recorded the highest plant height (84.77 cm), number of tillers (334.2 no.), dry matter accumulation (691.3 g m-2) compared to foliar spray of water (control). ETc 1.0 with SA spray enhanced the Chlorophyl index by 1.21% and 14.8% over ETc 0.8 and 0.6, respectively. Drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc with SA increased grain yield by 8.1% and straw yield by 5.6% over drip irrigation at 0.6 ETc which were at par with drip irrigation at 1 ETc. Hence, application of 80% irrigation through drip with 150 ppm of salicylic acid foliar spray can be recommended to farmers.