The impact of disc piowing depth and varying quantities of perlite on the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated.

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during the agricultural season of 2021-2022 in the AlMajd area, located north of Samawah city. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of plowing depths and perlite on various soil characteristics, as well as the growth and yield of wheat. This was achieved through a factorial experiment design, employing the split plot design and utilizing the randomized complete block design (RCBD). The experimental design incorporated two independent variables the first factor in the experiment pertains to plowing depths, which were categorized into three levels: 0 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm. These levels were coded as D0, D1, and D2, respectively. The second factor involves the addition of perlite mineral, which was examined at four different levels: 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%. These levels were coded as P0, P1, P2, and P3, respectively. The experimental land was divided into slabs, and wheat seeds of the Barcelona variety were sown on November 15, 2021. The harvest was conducted on April 20, 2022. Upon doing an analysis of the obtained data, the subsequent findings emerged: The study investigated the impact of different levels of perlite on the enhancement of vegetative growth parameters, specifically the number of tillers, plant height, and flag leaf area, throughout two stages: growth and tillering. The results showed that at the P2 level, the average values for tiller number, plant height, and flag leaf area were 12.03 tillers per plant, 89.93 cm in height, and 66.89 cm2 , respectively. The impact of plowing depth on the enhancement of vegetative characteristics, such as the number of tillers, plant height, and flag leaf area, was seen during the growth and tillering stages at the D2 level. The respective values for these attributes were 14.50 tillers per plant, 94.90 cm in plant height, and 82.24 cm 2 in flag leaf area. The rise in yield characteristics, such as spike length and total yield, throughout the harvesting stage was influenced by the levels of perlite. Specifically, at the P2 level, the spike length and total yield were measured to be 13.94 cm and 7.40 tons H-1, respectively. The rise in yield characteristics, specifically spike length and total yield, throughout the harvesting stage at the D2 level was influenced by the plowing depths. The spike length and total yield reached values of 14.61 cm and 7.79 ton ha-1, respectively.