Effect of Different Sowing Methods on Water Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Wheat in the Loess Plateau, China

Research has revealed that summer fallow sowing improves the water use efficiency (WUE) and grain yield of winter wheat. However, wheat yields differ yearly with crop management. A field experiment over 8 years was established in the Loess Plateau to determine the role of precipitation and soil water storage in wheat yield formation under conservation tillage. The average WUE values were 7.8, 11.0, and 12.6 t center dot ha(-1), while the average evapotranspiration (ET) values were 334.7, 365.5, and 410 mm when the yields were 3.0, 3.0-4.5, and over 4.5 t center dot ha(-1), respectively. Compared to drill sowing (DS), high water consumption during early growth increased the spike number, grain number, and yield. In years of intermediate or low yields, wide-space sowing (WS) and furrow sowing (FS) improved the ET, WUE, spike number, grain number, and yield of wheat compared to (DS) drill sowing. When the wheat yield was 3.0-4.5 t center dot ha(-1), higher soil water intake during jointing, anthesis, and anthesis-maturity increased the tiller number, 1000-grain weight, and yield, related to the use of suitable tillers. Synchronous increases in grain number per spike and 1000-grain weight were observed with increased soil water content at jointing, maturity, and anthesis, as well as consumption of soil water in the latter part during the growing season.

Automated summary

Research has shown that summer fallow sowing can improve the water use efficiency and grain yield of winter wheat. There are yearly differences in wheat yields based on crop management. A field experiment conducted over 8 years in the Loess Plateau revealed that high water consumption during early growth can increase spike number, grain number, and yield. Wide-space sowing and furrow sowing were beneficial for wheat yield when yields were intermediate or low. Soil water intake during specific growth stages also influenced tiller number, 1000-grain weight, and yield.