Table 7 Leaf chlorophyll a and b content of wheat as influenced by mulch treatments, varieties and their interactions under water stress

Control (unmulched and irrigated)

1.8867 ± 0.10^de

3.5633 ± 0.17^bc

2.7250 ^cd

0.8433 ± 0.03^c

1.0300 ± 0.17^c

0.9367^c

Mulch 1 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

2.6967 ± 0.15^c−e

3.5667 ± 0.19^bc

3.1317^b−d

0.9667 ± 0.14^c

1.2133 ± 0.06^c

1.0900^c

Mulch 3 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

3.0467 ± 0.58^b−d

5.6167 ± 0.28^a

4.3317^a

1.1467 ± 0.11^c

1.3733 ± 0.11^bc

1.2600^bc

Mulch 5 Mg ha⁻¹ + water

3.1467 ± 0.13^bc

5.7133 ± 0.44^a

4.4300^a

1.3633 ± 0.04^bc

1.3933 ± 0.11^bc

1.3783^a−c

Water stress (40% soil field capacity)

1.5767 ± 0.22^e

2.9967 ± 0.45^b−d

2.2867^d

0.7133 ± 0.16^c

0.9633 ± 0.20^c

0.8383^c

Mulch (1 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

3.2333 ± 0.38^bc

3.6700 ± 0.54^bc

3.4517^bc

0.8767 ± 0.13^c

1.1767 ± 0.10^c

1.0267^c

Mulch (3 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

3.3033 ± 0.36^bc

3.8733 ± 0.97^bc

3.5883^a−c

2.1333 ± 0.48^ab

1.2467 ± 0.82^c

1.6900^ab

Mulch (5 Mg ha⁻¹) + water stress

3.7333 ± 0.47^bc

3.9633 ± 0.44^b

3.8483^ab

2.3267 ± 0.23^a

1.4267 ± 0.20^bc

1.8767^a

Mean

2.8279^b

4.1204^a

1.2962^a

1.2279^a