Impacts of Temperature on Wheat Productivity in Rice-Wheat Cropping System of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

From 2011-12 to 2020-21, an experiment was conducted at the Adaptive Research Farm Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan to test the adaptability of indigenous wheat cultivars in the rice-wheat cropping system of Pakistan. The selection of cultivars was based on their popularity among farmers and their ability to produce high yield. Each year, the experiment was set up using a Randomized Complete Block Design, with wheat cultivars as treatments randomized in plots measuring 3.15 m × 9.6 m. All experimental units were treated the same way in terms of agronomic practices, plant protection, harvesting, and post-harvesting techniques. Data was collected pertaining to number of tillers (m^-2), 1000-grain weight (g) and final grain yield (t ha^-1) for each cultivar, as well as the mean monthly minimum and maximum temperatures for each crop season recorded. The data was then analyzed statistically. It was found that temperature had a negative impact on the number of tillers, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield of wheat over the long term. Furthermore, the performance of wheat cultivars varied based on changes in temperature throughout the entire study period.