Effect of double no-till and permanent raised beds on productivity, profitability and physical properties of soil in maize (Zea mays)wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi on sandy loam soil dur- ing 2010 to 2012 to study the effect of tillage and crop establishment techniques, and residue management on maize ( Zea mays L.)wheat [ Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol] cropping system. Results indicated that permanent beds with residue retention (PB+R) and fresh beds with crop residue incorporation (FB+R) were found comparable with respect to yield and yield attributes both in maize and wheat. FB+R recorded 25.0 and 8.3 % higher grain yield of maize and wheat, respectively compared to conventional tillflat (CTF). Likewise, PB+R gave 25.0 and 28.6% higher grain yield of maize and wheat, respectively over CT F. Further, PB+R gave 3.5% higher system productivity compared to FB+R. PB+R gave the highest net returns of maize (39.2 103 /ha), wheat (50.5 103 /ha) and the cropping system (89.7 103 /ha) followed by FB+R and zero till flat with residue retention (ZTF+R). At upper soil surface (010 cm), lowest bulk density and soil penetration resistance was ob- served in FB+R followed by PB+R. Among all the tillage, crop establishment, and residue management tech- niques, ZTF+R gave lowest yield and yield attributes, and recorded highest bulk density in upper soil surface.