Effects of bed width and planting date on water productivity of wheat grown on vertisols in the Ethiopian Highlands

Waterlogging is a challenge to wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) productivity under the rainfed system on Vertisols in the Ethiopian Highlands. However using suitable seedbed types and manipulating planting dates can minimize the effects. A four‐year (2000–2003) field experiment was conducted to evaluate three seedbed types broad bed and furrows (BBF) with early planting the traditional ridge and furrows (RF) and its modified version (wide ridge and furrows (WRF)) both under early and late planting in terms of water productivity of wheat. The FAO AquaCrop model was used to estimate crop water requirements. The result indicated that late planting on WRF or RF significantly (p