EVALUATION OF WHEAT PRODUCTIVITY UNDER REGENERATIVE MANAGEMENT IN RAINFED AREAS OF POTHOWAR

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop, significantly contributing to global dietary protein and calorie intake. In semi-arid rainfed regions, drought, irregular rainfall, low soil organic matter, and weed infestations severely limit yields. Conventional farming, which relies on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, depletes soil nutrients and degrades soil health, posing risks to both environmental sustainability and human well-being. Regenerative agriculture, emphasizing low-input practices such as mulching, chisel plowing, and raised beds, offers a sustainable alternative to enhance soil fertility and crop resilience on marginal soils. A two year filed experiment was conducted at University Research Farm Koont, Chakwal to assess the effects of regenerative agriculture practices on the productivity of wheat under rainfed conditions. Performance of various treatments on different soil and agronomic parameters including soil organic matter, soil moisture content, soil pH, plant height, 1000-grain weight and yield kgha-1 were determined. Results showed that regenerative farming has significantly enhanced both soil fertility and crop yield in T6 (Raised bed & Mulch) as compared to T0 (Control). The Raised Bed & Mulch treatment (T6) consistently yielded the most favorable outcomes, recording the highest soil moisture content (18.2% and 18.9% in consecutive years), soil organic matter (1.82% and 1.74%), while maintaining a lower soil pH (6.6 and 6.4) compared to the control. These soil improvements directly translated to superior agronomic performance: T6 produced the tallest plant height (84.2 cm and 85.4 cm), the highest 1000-grain weight (44.2 g and 38.0 g), and consequently, the highest estimated grain yield (4420 kg ha⁻¹ and 3800 kg ha⁻¹). The results highlight the increase in wheat productivity, showing regenerative farming potential, and supporting food security and environmental sustainabilty.