Effect of tillage, nitrogen and zinc management on yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in North Eastern Plains Zone of India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 201415 and 201516 at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of tillage practices, nitrogen and zinc management on productivity and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the North Eastern Plains Zone (NEPZ) of India. Treatments consisted of combina- tions of 2 tillage practices mainplots, viz. Conventional tillage (T ) and minimum tillage (T ) with different sources 1 2 of organic manure and nitrogen management, viz. N (control); N , [50% recommended dose of N (RDN) through 0 1 (urea + diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer] + 50% RDN through FYM; N , (25% RDN through (urea + DAP 2 fertilizer] + 75% RDN through FYM; N , 50% RDN through (urea + DAP fertilizer) + 50% RDN through 3 vermicompost; N , 25% RDN through (urea + DAP fertilizer) + 75% RDN through vermicompost; and N , 100% 4 5 RDN through (urea + DAP fertilizer), in subplots and 0.5% zinc foliar spray (Z ) along with the control (no foliar 1 spray, Z ) were taken in sub-subplots in a split-split plot design with 3 replications. Pooled data indicated that, crop 0 cultivated by conventional tillage resulted in significantly the highest grain yield (3.89 t/ha) and gross returns ( 93,507/ha). However, significantly the highest benefit: cost ratio (1.407) was evident in conservation tillage- based minimum tillage. In balanced nitrogen-fertilization treatment N significant and maximum grain yield (4.14 t/ 3 ha), straw yield (8.39 t/ha) and gross returns ( 10,025/ha) were obtained. Significant and maximum soil-fertility status was recorded for available N, P, K and B contents in treatment N . Significantly the highest net returns 4 ( 62,285/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.944) were noted in the treatment N . In zinc foliar spray, significantly higher 5 grain (3.86 t/ha) and straw yields (7.86 t/ha), gross returns ( 93,312/ha), net returns ( 53,251/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.372) with soil fertility N (245.54 ppm) were recorded in treatment Z . Interaction of T N Z treatment 1 1 3 1 resulted significantly higher grain yield. However, significantly higher net returns were recorded in T N Z . The 1 5 1 benefit: cost ratio was maximum in interaction of T N Z . 2 5 1