Effect of water deficit irrigations on grain yield and quality traits of three bread wheat cultivars

In order to study the effect of water deficit irrigations on grain yield and quality traits of three bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.), an experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, Islamic Azad University Naragh Branch, in 2008-2010. A RCBD based split plot design with three replications used. Three irrigation regimes (ETC 100%, ETC 80% and ETC 60%) arranged to main plots, and three wheat cultivars (Ghods, Mahdavy and Roshan-backcross) arranged to sub-plots. Results showed that no significant differences were found between ETC 100% and ETC 80% treatments. ETC 60% treatment significantly reduced yield and yield components. However delay in irrigation significantly increased grain protein percentage. Cultivars were not significantly different in grain yield and protein percent. The results obtained here indicate that wheat may be irrigated ETC 80% not only may save about 20% in irrigation water with no significant loss in yield under conditions similar to this experiment, but also grain protein percent increase 1.7%.