Enhancing wheat performance through phosphorus and zinc management strategies under varied irrigation regimes

This study addresses the critical role of phosphorus and zinc applications in enhancing wheat productivity and profitability under varying water availability. While the individual impacts of phosphorus and zinc on crop nutrition are well-established, their combined effect remains underexplored, particularly in moisture-stress environments. This research aims to optimize wheat production using varying irrigation regimes. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to investigate the effects of phosphorus and zinc applications. Phosphorus was applied at three levels (50, 75, and 100 kg ha^− 1 as DAP), and zinc at three levels (5, 10, and 15 kg ha^− 1 as ZnSO4), under two irrigation Methods: limited irrigation and full irrigation. Evaluation parameters included phenological stages, growth parameters, yield, and economic analysis. The study identifies that the combination of 100 kg P ha^− 1 and 15 kg Zn ha^− 1 maximizes wheat productivity, with significant improvements in various yield components and economic metrics. Full irrigation consistently outperformed limited irrigation in terms of yield and yield components. Principal component analysis confirmed the beneficial effect of combined phosphorus and zinc applications on wheat productivity. The cost-effectiveness, determined by the benefit-cost ratio, supports recommending the application of P₁₀₀ + Zn₁₅ to enhance wheat productivity and profitability in both full and limited irrigation scenarios. Farmers in similar agro-ecological regions will directly benefit from these findings by achieving higher yields and better economic returns. The industrial importance is highlighted by the potential for increased wheat production and improved financial viability for farmers, suggesting significant advancements in sustainable agricultural practices for water-scarce regions.