Abstract
Water stress is a critical limiting factor for winter wheat’s growth, development, and yield in arid regions. In this study, conducted over two growing seasons (2020-2021 and 2021-2022), different water stress treatments were applied to systematically analyze the impact of water stress at various growth stages of winter wheat. The experimental design included water stress treatments during the overwintering, green-up, jointing, heading, and grain-filling stages to examine the effects of different irrigation quotas on wheat growth and yield. Results showed that water stress during the overwintering and green-up stages had the most pronounced inhibitory effects on wheat growth, as indicated by significant reductions in plant height and leaf area index. In contrast, wheat at the jointing and heading stages exhibited stronger adaptability, with the number of effective spikes and grains per spike remaining relatively stable. Yield analysis revealed that water stress during the overwintering and green-up stages had the most significant negative impact on final yield, whereas moderate water management adjustments during the jointing and grain-filling stages contributed to maintaining higher yields. Further analysis indicated significant interactions between different irrigation quotas and water stress timing. Appropriate irrigation practices can effectively enhance water use efficiency and ensure stable, high wheat yields. This study reveals the mechanisms of water stress effects at various growth stages of winter wheat in arid regions, providing practical insights for optimizing water management in winter wheat cultivation in arid areas, enhancing water use efficiency, and supporting sustainable agriculture in arid regions.
