Table 6 Plant height and leaf area of wheat as influenced by mulch treatments, varieties and their interactions under water stress

Control (unmulched and irrigated

81.50 ± 2.02^gh

104.67 ± 2.91^bc

93.08^b

29.353 ± 0.61^e

36.080 ± 1.65^bc

32.717^c

Mulch 1 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

82.50 ± 2.60^gh

108.00 ± 0.58^ab

95.25^ab

31.487 ± 0.75^de

36.080 ± 1.65^bc

33.783^bc

Mulch 3 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

85.33 ± 2.40^f−h

109.33 ± 5.36^ab

97.33^ab

32.477 ± 2.77^c−e

39.500 ± 1.25^b

35.988^b

Mulch 5 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

87.00 ± 1.73 ^fg

113.67 ± 1.86^a

100.33^a

36.027 ± 1.22^bc

44.100 ± 0.52^a

40.063^a

Water stress (40% FC)

79.33 ± 2.33 ^h

96.00 ± 2.31^de

87.67^c

23.367 ± 1.02^f

26.133 ± 0.35^ef

24.750^e

Mulch (1 Mg ha⁻¹) + Water stress

87.00 ± 0.58 ^fg

98.00 ± 1.15 ^cd

92.50^bc

30.377 ± 1.70^e

35.787 ± 1.92^b−d

33.082^bc

Mulch (3 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

88.5 ± 0.29 ^fg

100.00 ± 1.15 ^cd

94.25^b

31.140 ± 1.18^e

37.293 ± 2.02^b

34.217^bc

Mulch (5 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

90.33 ± 2.73^ef

103.33 ± 4.41^bc

96.83^ab

32.327 ± 0.74^c−e

39.977 ± 1.86^ab

36.152^b

Mean

85.19^b

104.13^a

30.819^b

36.869^a