Effects of irrigation water level on Bread Wheat at Qadalle scheme, Yabello district of Borana zone, Ethiopia

The study conducted on the response of bread wheat yield and water use efficiency to six levels of irrigation ranging from 50% to 100%. The bread wheat variety, ETW9578, was used as the test crop. The experimental design consisted RCBD with three replications. The 12 m2 net plot size was received 100 kg ha-1 of NPS, and 150 kg ha-1 of urea. The relationship between water levels and the bread wheat yield was analyzed through various components including grain yield, plant height, tiller number, and above-ground biomass. This is supported by the results of an ANOVA, which provides statistical evidence to confirm the significant impact of irrigation levels on wheat production. Accordingly, the max (4751.46 kg ha-1) and min (2101.87 kg ha-1) yield recorded at 100% ETc and 50% ETc irrigation level respectively. These findings demonstrate that as irrigation approaches full crop water requirements, bread wheat are better able to meet their physiological needs, resulting in optimal growth and productivity. The number of productive tillers is crucial as it directly influences the number of grains per plant. Enhanced irrigation results in greater biomass accumulation due to improved photosynthesis rates facilitated by healthier plants. The data presented indicates that different irrigation levels have varying impacts on the thousand seed weight (TSW) of bread wheat. The highest TSW was observed at 60% ETc and 90% ETc irrigation treatments. This suggests that these levels provide sufficient moisture to support optimal seed development. However, there was no significant variation in yields among 70% and 80% ETc treatments. This indicates that both levels may be similarly effective for achieving satisfactory yields. Conversely, reducing the irrigation level from 90% ETc to 70% ETc does not significantly reduce yield but offers advantages in terms of water savings. This finding is critical as it suggests that farmers can maintain competitive yields while using less water, which is essential for sustainable agriculture. Based on the findings, applying an irrigation level (70% ETc) is recommended for optimum returns in wheat. This recommendation balances yield performance with efficient water usage, making it a practical approach for farmers aiming to enhance sustainability while maintaining productivity.