Effect of tillage methods on soil properties and productivity of quality protein maize (Zea mays)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) system

A field experiment was conducted with quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emnd Fiori & Paol.)] at Pantnagar, Uttrakhand between 2008–09 and 2009–10 to evaluate crop yield, economics and soil properties under different tillage methods, viz. zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage (CT), raised fresh bed (RFB) and permanent raised bed (PRB). Results showed that organic C and bulk density varied significantly among the tillage methods. Organic C content in soil increased by 8.4 and 12.3% in ZT, followed by 5.6 and 9.4% in PRB over CT in maize and wheat, respectively. Bulk density was highest under ZT, and was negatively related with yield. Plant height and dry root biomass of maize and effective tillers/m² and harvest index of wheat influenced significantly by tillage practices in both the years. Yields obtained under raised fresh beds (RFB) were superior to ZT, CT and PRB by 8.4 to 32.4% and 8.8 to 18.8% in maize and 5.0 to 39.5% and 7.3 to 42.1% in wheat during 2008–09 and 2009–10, respectively. Grain yields of both crops with ZT and PRB showed an increasing trend in second year. The applied irrigation water was highest (15.5 and 20.7cm) in maize and 31.9 and 30.9cm in wheat under CT and lowest being (11.3 and 10.0 cm) in maize and 23.5 and 19.0 cm in wheat under PRB. Highest water productivity was found for both crops with FRB but lowest with CT in maize and ZT in wheat. But, the magnitude of increase in water productivity was 0.35 to 1.44 kg/m³ higher in maize than that of wheat crop. Fresh raised bed gave highest net income of l8,600/ha in maize and 58,900/ha in wheat but highest benefit: cost ratio was found with FRB and PRB for maize and wheat, respectively. The highest energy consumption was recorded under FRB in maize (18,900 MJ/ha) and CT in wheat (22,800 MJ/ha) while energy use efficiency was highest with PRB in both crops. Thus adoption of FRB tillage method not only saved the resources like water and nutrients but also produced highest yields of maize and wheat in maize-wheat cropping systems.