Effects of winter drought resistant strategies on wheat waterconsumption and growth characteristics

Water resource deficiency is one of major limitations to winter wheat production in Hebei Lowland Plain Areas. Drought resistant strategies are critical for high yield and quality wheat grain production. The effects of drought resistant measures (sprinkler irrigation at winter plus 75 mm irrigation at revival stage, flood irrigation at winter plus 75 mm irrigation at revival stage, and cattle manure mulching at winter plus 90 mm irrigation at revival stage) with three treatment times in winter (Jan. 28, Feb. 12 and Feb. 27) on water consumption and growth characteristics of "Heng 4399" wheat cultivar was determined in this study under high-yield cultivation conditions in 2010-2011 growth season with 47.7 mm of precipitation. The results showed that total water consumption of wheat for the whole growth period was 384.93~464.24 mm. WUE (water use efficiency) was 15.23~20.87 kg·hm^-2·mm^-1. Periods with the highest water consumption were generally from double ridge to filling and then from sowing to wintering. At same treatments time, treatments with high irrigation amounts increased total water consumption while reducing irrigation WUE. Concurrent comparisons of different treatments showed that WUE under cattle manure mulching was higher than that under other drought resistant measures. Compared with flood irrigation, sprinkler irrigation saved more water and was also more suitable to wheat growth water needs. For the indices of soil water ratio, WUE and IWUE (irrigation water use efficiency), sprinkler irrigation was better than flood irrigation. For the same treatment at different times, there an increasing grain-yield trend was noted with delayed treatment. At a same time, the effects of different treatments on dry-matter accumulation and redistribution were different. Cattle manure mulching and CK treatments increased the relocation of dry-matter accumulated before anthesis to wheat grain. Flood and sprinkler irrigations increased dry-matter accumulation after anthesis and also dry-matter relocation ratio to grain. The above findings provided the theoretical basis for developing winter drought resistant strategies in winter wheat cultivation.