Effects of deficit irrigation and planting modes on leaves´ water physiological characteristics and grain yield of winter wheat

In 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of deficit irrigation and planting patterns on leaves water physiological characteristics and grain yield of winter wheat in Shandong Province. The results indicated that no matter under the conditions of no irrigation or deficit irrigation, transpiration, relative water content and water potential in flag leaves of furrow planting pattern were higher than those in uniform row, wide-narrow row and bed planting patterns, respectively. Under no irrigation condition, grain yield in furrow planting pattern was the highest, followed by wide-narrow row and uniform row planting patterns, and the lowest grain yield was observed in case of bed planting pattern; under the condition of deficit irrigation, grain yield in furrow planting pattern was significantly higher than those in uniform row and wide-narrow row planting patterns, respectively. The grain yield in bed planting pattern was lower than that in furrow planting pattern, but was significantly higher than those in uniform row and wide-narrow row planting patterns, respectively. The above results indicated that only under the condition of deficit irrigation, bed planting pattern could increase the winter wheat grain yield. In Shandong Province, furrow planting pattern should be used in combination with deficit irrigation, such as irrigated at jointing and heading stages, to increase the grain yield of winter wheat.