Growth and production of wheat cultivars under water tensions in Cerrado soil

ABSTRACT Brazil is not self-sufficient for the production of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and the expansion of cultivation to the Cerrado in the State of Mato Grosso, in an irrigated system, is an alternative solution to increase wheat production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil water tension on the growth and production of wheat cultivars cultivated in the Cerrado Oxisol. The treatments were arranged in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme, with three wheat cultivars (BRS 254, BRS 394, and BRS 264) and five water tensions in soil (5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 kPa), using a randomized block design with four replications. Wheat growth and production exhibited a better response at a tension of 5 kPa. Cultivar BRS 254 showed the lowest production of spikes and grains per spike with increasing soil water tension. Among the cultivars, BRS 264 produced the highest number of grains per spike at tensions of 35 and 45 kPa. The wheat cultivars BRS 254, BRS 394, and BRS 264 have high water requirements. However, BRS 264 presented greater growth and production under conditions of restricted water in the soil, being able to be cultivated with an irrigation system activated less frequently, with less expenditure of water and energy.