Effect of planting method, tillage and weed management on productivity and wheat (Z'riticurn aestivum> ghysico-chemical properties of rice (Oryza sativa) - cropping system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2002-03 and 2003-04 at Raipur in Chhattisgarh to assess the produc- tivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) -wheat [Piticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.] cropping system and changes in soil-nutrient status due to different planting methods of rice and tillage and weed-management practices of wheat. Transplanting of rice after Sesbania aculeata (green manure, GM) incorporation (Rice,,,,) produced significantly higher grain yield of rice (19.5-25.3%) and increased the organic C, available N and K over transplanting of rice (Rice,,) and beushening system without GM (Rice,,). The residual effect of Rice ,,,, gave 11 .I % higher grain yield of wheat, increased the available N, P and K content in the soil and reduced the bulk density in 0-7 and 10-17 cm soil depths. Conventional tillage (Wheat,,) in wheat produced 19.1% higher grain yield than zero tillage (Wheat,). Zero-tilled wheat gave 10.7% higher organic C in the soil than Wheat ., Infiltration rate was the highest under Wheat,, and observed to be 20.5% higher at harvest. Post-emergence application of sulfosulfuron @ 25 g/ ha and metsulfuron-methyl @ 4 glha reduced the dry weight of weeds significantly over the weedy check and in- creased the grain yield of wheat. Transplanting of rice after GM incorporation followed by conventional tillage and in post-emergence application of ~ ~ l f ~ ~ ~ l f i ~ r o r l wheat improved the soil physico-chemical properties and gave the maximum total productivity (12.45 tiha) and net returns (Rs 52,104lha).