Wheat is planted through the broadcast method on 7.8 million ha and irrigated through low-efficiency flood basin irrigation methods. With decreased water availability, there is a need to adopt water use efficient planting techniques. The current paper uses two-year trials data set as well as farmer survey data to demonstrate benefits of ridge-furrow planting wheat and farmer perception regarding the technology in Pakistan. During 2014–15 and 2015–16, ridge-furrow planting of wheat was compared with farmer practice of planting on flat surface through broadcasting at 162 sites located in 15 districts of Pakistan. In a survey, 134 farmers shared their experiences about ridge-furrow planting. Data collected from field trials and demonstrations showed that better tillering and crop growth contributed towards 12% higher wheat grain yield with ridge-furrow planting in comparison with the farmer practice of flat planting in all 15 districts during both years. Furrow-irrigated ridge planting of wheat helped farmers in saving of 30–35% water in comparison with farmer practice. Farmers adopting ridge-furrow wheat planting earned USD 100.63 per hectare more profit than nonadopter farmers. Adoption of this technology on one million hectare can help in saving 1 million acre foot of water and produce additional 0.36 million tons of wheat per year.

The present study was based on the general hypothesis that boron may affect the accumulation and utilization of other nutrients in plant. For this purpose a field experiment was carried out to find out the influence of boron on the different nutrients content in FCV tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) at TRS Khan Garhi, Mardan, during 2010-2011. Two varieties TM-2008 and Speight G-28 were tested and six levels of boron (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 kg•ha −1 ) were applied in the form of boric acid, in randomized complete block design in split plot arrangement and replicated thrice. Results indicated that the yield of tobacco crop increased with 1 kg•B•ha −1 and then decreased sequence wise in both varieties. N and P concentrations were significantly affected by applied boron. Similarly, potassium was increased which is a good indication for a better quality of tobacco crop. Application of boron significantly increased the concentrations of boron nutrients ratios such as K/B; Cl/B and Mn/Fe were decreased while K/Cl and Zn/Cu ratios were increased at lower boron concentrations but decreased at higher concentrations of boron. The fertilizer use efficiency of both the cultivars showed similar trend; however, Speight G-28 was more efficient than TM-2008 in boron accumulation. The overall results revealed that the application of boron should be encouraged for balancing nutrients concentration, thus getting higher yield in the prevailing conditions.

Seven wheat genotypes i.e., PR-110, PR-112, PR-115, PR-118, PR-119, PR-120 and Pirsabak-13 were evaluated at: I0: Control, I1: irrigation at seedling stage, I2: irrigation at seedling and booting stages, I3: irrigation at seedling, tillering and booting stages and I4: irrigation at seedling, tillering, booting and grain formation stages. Among the genotypes, PR-115, PR-118 and PR-120 were found to be superior for grain yield and its related attributes under full and deficit water conditions. Irrigation at seedling + tillering + booting stages + grain formation stages (I4) produced statistically higher yield and related traits. It was also observed that in case of water shortage, irrigation at seedling and booting stages reduced the drastic losses in grain yield of wheat. The study suggested that identified promising wheat genotypes can be utilized in future breeding programs to develop drought tolerant varieties. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(2): 235-243, 2021 (June)

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