Impact of Groundwater Table on Water Use, Yield, Root Distribution, and Seed Quality of Hard Red Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The impact of groundwater table depth on hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, water use, root distribution, and grain quality were investigated in a greenhouse utilizing the lysimeter technique. Three different groundwater table depths (WTD) of 30, 60, and 90 cm, along with irrigation application (control treatment) were tested. Results showed that crop water use reduced as WTD increased from 30 to 90 cm, while yield and water use efficiency (WUE) increased as WTD increased. Similarly, 90 cm WTD resulted in the greatest yield, aboveground biomass, harvest index, and the greatest values for average kernel length, width, weight, and pasting properties compared to other WTD treatments. Consequently, the results suggested that for the WTD tested in this study, 90 cm was found to be the optimal water depth for the best hard red spring wheat yield and groundwater management.