Effect of hydrogel and nutrient management on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity under limited irrigation conditions

The study titled “Effect of hydrogel and nutrient management on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity under limited irrigation conditions” The study took place at the Agricultural Research Farm of R.B.S. College in Bichpuri, Agra (U.P) during the Rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The research employed a split plot design, the study includes four distinct irrigation levels as the primary plot treatments: I₀ (no irrigation), I₁ (a single irrigation at the CRI stage), I₂ (irrigation twice at the CRI and boot leaf stages), and I₃ (irrigation three times at the CRI, booting leaf, and milking stages). Additionally, six hydrogel and nutrient management levels were used as sub plot treatments: HNM₁ (75% NPK without hydrogel), HNM₂ (75% NPK with hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha), HNM₃ (75% NPK with hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha), HNM₄ (100% NPK without hydrogel), HNM₅ (100% NPK with hydrogel @ 2.5 kg/ha), and HNM₆ (100% NPK with hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha). Each of the 24 treatment combinations was replicated three times. The results revealed that the irrigation levels, (I₃) three irrigations (CRI, booting, and milking stages) produced the maximum grain yield (41.96 q ha^-1), biomass (102.24 q ha^-1), and straw yield (60.28 q ha^-1). Similarly, among nutrient management practices, the application of HNM₆ (100% NPK with hydrogel @ 5.0 kg/ha) recorded the maximum grain yield (43.16 q ha^-1) and biomass yield (105.86 q ha^-1), indicate the synergistic effect of hydrogel in enhancing soil moisture retention, nutrient uptake, and tiller survival in moisture stress condition.