The Performance of Wheat Varieties in Resisting the Drought at Nilphamari District of Bangladesh

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of resisting the drought to wheat varieties at three Upazilas of Nilphamari district of Bangladesh namely, Saidpur, Nilphamari Sadar and Jaldhaka. The main objectives that the study aimed to achieve include, (i) identification of drought stress tolerant wheat varieties by the small and marginal farmers through adaptive trials thus found more productive and profitable; and (ii) demonstration of modern wheat cultivation technologies generated awareness, improved knowledge, attitude and perceived adoption of modern wheat production among the demonstrating as well as neighbouring farmers. Four separate trials for identification of drought stress tolerant varieties were planned and implemented using Split-Plot design. Crop production technologies as recommended by BARI were used in the trials. Study findings showed comparatively lower yield in ‘zero’ irrigation i.e. rainfed condition in all the varieties (ranging from 3.89 tons to 4.05 tons/ha, average being 3.97 tons/ha) as against single irrigation (4.07 tons-4.61 tons/ha, average being 4.32 tons/ha), two irrigation (4.11 tons–4.59 tons/ha, average being 4.41tons/ha) and three irrigations (4.56 tons–4.94 tons, average being 4.70 tons/ha). The yield difference between ‘0' & 1,1 & 2, and 2 & 3 irrigations did not reveal a significant difference in most of the varieties. But in most of the varieties, significant differences were observed between ‘0' and 3 irrigations. In ‘0' irrigation, all the varieties performed similar with respect to yield, but BARI Gom21 performed slightly better over the other varieties