Improving Wheat Productivity and Soil Properties by Using Compost and Potassium under Water Stress Conditions

A field experiment be located at Sids Agriculture Research Station, Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt for two following seasons of 2021/ 2022 and 2022/ 2023, to examine effects of three levels of potassium (0.0, 47.0 and 94.0 kg K ha-1) via using two compost levels (0.0 and 12 t ha-1) on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that is grown in clay soil under three irrigation levels (3, 4 and 5 irrigations). The experimental design was split-split design in completely randomized block with four replications. Results show that physio-chemical soil properties, soil water retention was positively responded to compost application, meanwhile soil salinity increased. Soil available N and K were increased with increasing number of irrigation. Growth parameters, yield and yield components, and N, P and K uptake of wheat were significantly increased due to increasing number of irrigation, compost application or potassium levels. The results of the interaction indicate that added 12 t ha-1 compost plus 94 kg K ha-1 resulted in growth and yield and its components as well as N, P and K uptake under four irrigation statistically equal to five irrigation. Also, combined 12 t ha-1 compost with 47 kg K ha-1 gave wheat productivity equal to those under high potassium levels. It could be concluded that using 12 t ha-1 compost and 49 kg K ha-1 to gain maximum quantity and quality of wheat as well as soil properties under suitable water resources. While, under water stress, it concluded to supply wheat plants with 12 t ha-1 compost in combination with 94 kg K ha-1 to improve the water stress tolerance.