Intercomparison of crop establishment methods for improving yield and profitability in the rice-wheat system of Eastern India

Influence of tillage based crop establishment and residue management practices on soil quality indices and yield sustainability in rice-wheat cropping system of Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains

“…They also reported that the long-term sustainability and higher productivity could be achieved in CT with direct seeding of rice in combination with residues retention. Specific studies have also shown higher wheat yields under ZT (with and without residue retention) compared to traditional tillage in the eastern IGP region ( Singh et al, 2020 ; Nandan et al, 2018 ). Likewise, Samal et al (2017) observed significantly higher system productivity in terms of rice equivalent yield under ZT compared to the conventional tillage.…”

Zero-tillage wheat provides stable yield and economic benefits under diverse growing season climates in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains

“…The Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) are home to more than 20% of the global population, and sustainably enhancing the productivity of the prevailing rice-wheat cropping systems is vital for ensuring future food security in South Asia (Chauhan et al, 2012). The potential to increase yields is particularly large in the Eastern IGP, such as the state of Bihar (Jain et al, 2017;Singh et al, 2020). On the one hand, Bihar has the lowest wheat yields in the IGP, averaging 2.17 MT ha −1 over the period 2010/11-2015/16, less than half of the 4.70 MT ha −1 achieved in the Northwestern state of Punjab (MoA, 2017a).…”

“…Across the IGP, the use of zero tillage (ZT) in wheat cultivation has demonstrated agronomic and economic benefits, while improving the environmental footprint of agriculture (Aryal et al, 2015;Chauhan et al, 2012;Erenstein & Laxmi, 2008;Gathala et al, 2013;Gupta et al, 2019;Mehla et al, 2000;Sapkal et al, 2019;Singh et al, 2020). Despite this evidence, a global meta-analysis of paired comparisons of crop yields in ZT and conventionally tilled production systems questioned the significance of the technology as an integral part of a sustainable intensification strategy (Pittelkow et al, 2014).…”

“…Wheat is cultivated in the winter (rabi) season, extending from November to early April. The prevailing ZT practice uses a ZT seed drill attached to a relatively small four-wheel tractor 1 to sow wheat directly into unplowed fields with a single pass (Erenstein & Laxmi, 2008;Singh et al, 2020). The typical ZT drill opens 6-13 narrow slits using inverted-T openers to place both seed and fertilizers at a depth of 7.5-10 cm (Mehla et al, 2000).…”

Response of Zero Tillage Technique on Wheat Production in the Middle Indo-Gangetic Plains of Nalanda (Bihar)

“…Rice and wheat accounts for almost 85% of total cereal production of India [5] and therefore its necessity and importance for food security, especially in food insecure region and poor state like Bihar, increases manifold. However, Bihar did not receive the same success like Punjab, Haryana and Western UP [6]. Despite having yield increasing capability, it remains a net importer of wheat [7], an important part of Bihar's diet.…”