Potential for improving crop yields through better water management in rainfed regions

This study was conducted to determine the effect of water supply at critical growth stage of sorghum in Arid Zone Research Institute, D.I. Khan. The results indicated that the yield components and grain yield were significantly affected by water supply. Irrigation applied at heading stage of the crop significantly increased plant height, maturity period, fresh and dry weight of heads plot(-1), 1000 grain weight and grain yield of sorghum irrespective to cultivars. Maximum grain yield of 3319 kg ha(-1) was obtained with irrigation as against 2206 kg ha(-1) obtained from un-irrigated treatments. The plant height, fresh and dry weight of heads plot(-1), 1000 grain weight and grain yield of different cultivars were also different significantly irrespective to irrigation. Maximum grain yield of 2976 kg ha(-1) was produced by the cultivar DS-2000 compared to 2550 kg ha(-1) by DS-97 Yarik. The interaction between irrigation and cultivar as regards yield and yield components of sorghum was non significant. The findings of this study suggested that the grain yield of sorghum can be increased by 50% with irrigation applied at the heading of sorghum.