Effect of Conservation Tillage and Precise Nitrogen Management on Productivity, Profitability and Nue of Wheat in Rice-wheat Cropping System

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Effect of conservation tillage and precise nitrogen management on productivity, profitability and NUE of Wheat in Rice-Wheat cropping system” study was carried out at the Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, (U.P.) during rabi season of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was conducted under split plot design with three replications, treatments comprising of three conservation tillage treatments {C1-Conventional tillage, C2- Reduced tillage and C3- Furrow irrigated raised bed (FIRB)} as main plots and four precise nitrogen treatments (N1- Control, N2- State recommendations, N3- LCC based nitrogen Application and N4- SPAD based treatments) as sub plot treatments. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam having low organic matter (0.43%), low in available nitrogen, low in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The maximum values of growth and yield attributes (plant height, number of tillers, dry matter accumulation, number of spikelets spike-1, effective tillers, grains spike-1 and test weight) was recorded in furrow irrigated raised bed system than rest of tillage practices. Similarly, maximum grain and straw yield, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium uptake and net return was noticed in this treatment. Among precise nitrogen treatments, the maximum value of growth characters (plant height, number of tillers and dry matter accumulation), yield attributes (number of spikelets spike-1, effective tillers, grains spike-1 and test weight), grain and straw yield, nutrient uptake and net return were noticed with application of nitrogen using SPAD meter which remain at par with LCC based nitrogen application treatment. Thus, it may be concluded that use of furrow irrigated raised bed system along with application of nitrogen on the basis of SPAD or LCC seems to be the best combination for achieving higher yield, net return and improving soil health.