INTEGRATED EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, FERTILIZATION, AND TILLAGE ON YIELD COMPONENTS AND GRAIN QUALITY OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) UNDER ARID CONDITION OF IRAQ

Abstract

Efficient management of water, nutrients, and soil conditions is essential for improving wheat productivity under irrigated agriculture. This study evaluated the integrated effects of irrigation systems, fertilization, and tillage practices on yield components and qualitative treats of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment included three irrigation methods (pivot, fixed, and flood irrigation), two fertilization levels (fertilized and unfertilized), and two tillage systems (tillage and no-tillage). Results indicated that irrigation systems significantly influenced yield components and qualitative treats. Pivot The triple interaction among center pivot irrigation, fertilization, and tillage (I1T1F1) recorded the highest spike density, reaching 310 spikes/m². For the number of grains per spike, center pivot irrigation achieved superiority with an average of 39 grains/spike. Fertilization and tillage significantly increased this trait, reaching a maximum of 40 grains when the three optimal factors were combined. Concerning 1000-grain weight and test weight, center pivot irrigation recorded the highest averages, reaching 40.13 g and 838.25 g/L, respectively. The results confirmed that fertilization and tillage improved grain filling efficiency and grain density. Vegetative growth results indicated that plant height reached its maximum under center pivot irrigation and fertilization, recording 1.18 m and 1.22 m, respectively.