Unprecedented response of wheat to irrigation levels and various rates of Nano-black carbon

Abstract

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, wheat yield is subjected to availability of water and proper rate of Nano-black carbon in soil. Delay in rain and unsuitable soil health cause severe yield reduction. Therefore this experiment was conducted to compare Irrigation levels in relation to different rate of Nano-black carbon to find out high yielding fact that could enhance wheat productivity and food security. Three different-irrigation-levels (250-mm, 275-mm and 300-mm), were compared in early growth establishment in three repeats with five different rates of Nano-black carbon (5Mg ha^-1, 10Mg ha^-1, 15Mg ha^-1, 20Mg ha^-1 and 25Mg ha^-1). All the other agronomic practices were kept similar for each replicate. Data was recoded on different growth parameters such as days to emergence, emergence m^-2, plant height, spike length, number of spikes m^-2, thousand grain weight and grain yield. The study confirmed that almost all Irrigation levels were prominent but significant reduction in different parameters was observed with variation in Nano-black carbon application that could ultimately effect soil health and productivity. From this experiment we concluded that proper rate of Nano-black carbon can significantly enhance the development of roots system which may ultimately increase the shoot growth and final yield. The present study revealed that wheat Irrigation levels (250 mm) can properly save water and increase wheat productivity in combination with Nano-black carbon addition. Different Irrigation levels retorted differently to different Nano-black carbon showing that potential did exist in Nano-black carbon for water storage and improvement of soil health under drought stress condition.