Genotype Specific Agronomic Solutions in Wheat production in Irrigated Drylands of Egypt: Genotype x Environment x Management Experiments

Abstract

The agricultural system in Egypt is facing increasing water scarcity, soil salinity, and unsustainable farming practices such as over application of water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Addressing these challenges requires sustainable agronomic solutions tailored to specific genotypes, environments, and management practices. These studies investigated genotype × environment × management (G × E × M) interactions to optimize wheat production. Field experiments were conducted over the 2022/23 and 2023/24 winter seasons to evaluate the effects of wheat varieties, seeding methods, and irrigation systems on crop yield, water productivity (WP), and energy efficiency in the old lands of Egypt’s Nile Valley. Three wheat varieties—Giza 171, Sids 15, and Masr 3—were evaluated alongside three seeding methods (hand-broadcasting, seed drilling, and raised beds) and three irrigation systems (border surface irrigation, gated pipes, and drip irrigation). Results showed a significant difference in agronomic performance among the tested treatments. All three-variety produced more than the national average yield (6.8 t/ha) under all three-crop establishment and three irrigation system. There was no significant interaction effect of variety x crop establishment methods and irrigation method in both years. This Indicates that all three varieties can be successfully grown under all three-establishment method and irrigation systems without yield penalty.