Yali Wang , Rugang Xu , Zhonghui He

Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Triticeae Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 4   
Received: 21 May, 2025    Accepted: 03 Jun., 2025    Published: 21 Jun., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a globally essential cereal crop whose productivity is closely linked to water availability, particularly in water-limited regions. This study explores the effects of different irrigation frequencies on dry matter accumulation and water use efficiency (WUE) in wheat cultivation. We examined the physiological basis of biomass accumulation and analyzed how irrigation intervals influence partitioning among organs and developmental stage-specific responses. Further, we evaluated WUE in relation to irrigation frequency, considering agronomic implications and the interplay of root development, leaf structure, and molecular signaling pathways. A case study from a semi-arid wheat-growing region provided field-based insights into the impacts of irrigation frequency on yield, soil health, and practical outcomes. Our analysis highlights the trade-offs between water input and biomass productivity, emphasizing the importance of optimized irrigation scheduling. We conclude that moderate irrigation intervals can enhance WUE without severely compromising yield, though outcomes depend on local climate and soil conditions. Future research should focus on site-specific strategies using precision agriculture to improve sustainability under climate variability.

Wheat; Irrigation frequency; Dry matter accumulation; Water use efficiency; Semi-arid agriculture