Wheat growth and yield investigation under different levels of biochar and deficit irrigation under greenhouse conditions

According to the amount of wheat production in Fars Province and occurrence of drought, application of crop’s residual on agricultural land in form of biochar may improve soil fertility and increase crops yield. Therefore, the current research was conducted to study the effect of different levels of wheat straw biochar and deficit irrigation on wheat growth and yield. The treatments included four levels of biochar (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75 % w/w) and three levels of irrigation (100, 75 and 50 % crop water requirement). Under full irrigation treatment, increasing in biochar to 1.25%w/w was increased crop height by 11.5% in comparison with that obtained in no biochar application. Biochar levels of 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75% w/w increased (decreased) stomatal conductance (green canopy temperature) by 26.8, 31.2 and 37.9% (15.2, 21.4 and 23.4%), respectively, in comparison with that obtained in no biochar application, under full irrigation treatment. Also, the maximum number of tillers per wheat plant (3.7), number of seed per tillers (36.1), 1000 seeds weight (54.1 g) and above ground dry matter (65 g) were observed in 1.25 % w/w biochar treatment, and further increase in biochar declined these parameters in comparison with control as the soil become more saline. It can be concluded that deficit irrigation of 75% crop water requirement and application of 1.25% w/w biochar is recommended due to positive effect of these treatments on yield and yield components.