Impact of diverse tillage and nitrogen management on growth and yield of conservation agriculture-based wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A study was carried out during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to assess the effects of diverse tillage and nitrogen management scenarios on growth, development, and yield of a conservation agriculture (CA)-based wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop grown in sequence with maize (Zea mays L.). Experiment was conducted in split plot design (SPD) comprised of 3 different tillage practices in main plots [Conventional tillage + residue (CT); Zero tillage + residue (ZT); and Permanent beds + residue (PB)] and 5 nitrogen (N) options in sub plots [Control (zero nitrogen); Recommended dose of N-RDN @150 kg N/ha (50 kg N/ha Basal + 2-equal splits at 37 days after sowing (DAS) and 84 DAS); Green Seeker (GS) based application of N @148 kg N/ha (GS); Urea super granules applied as basal @75 kg N/ha + GS based N application (USG); and Slow release fertilizer as 100% basal application @150 kg N/ha (SRF)] with 3-replications. The findings revealed that in both the seasons, both tillage and nitrogen management approaches significantly affected wheat growth, yield characteristics, and overall yield, whereas the time to anthesis and physiological maturity, and test weight remained unaffected. Within the spectrum of tillage practices, leaf area index (LAI) and yield attributes exhibited the trend PB>ZT>CT. PB recorded the highest grain yield (5159 kg/ha), followed by ZT (4916 kg/ha) and the lowest grain yield was observed with CT (4578 kg/ha). The wheat grain yields were 12.7% and 7.4% higher in PB and ZT, respectively, over to CT. Among nitrogen management options, the grain yield exhibited the pattern USG>N150>SRF>GS>N0. This study emphasizes that adopting conservation agriculture (CA) practices, particularly CA-based permanent beds using urea super granules (USG) for nitrogen management can improve wheat growth and yield.