Tillage and nitrogen management on performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under subtropical climatic condition

Abstract

Soil fertility and yield on sustainable basis may improve by conservation tillage and nitrogen management. This study was aim to appraise impact of 3 tillage viz. zero (ZT), reduced (RT) and conventional tillage (CT) without or with residue retention/incorporation and 5 N rates (0, 80, 120, 160, and 200 kg·N·ha-1) on yield, grain quality and soil health i.e. soil organic matter (SOC), bulk density, infiltration rate and microbial biomass carbon of wheat. Nitrogen rates was significantly exaggerated yield and quality where highest values recorded at 200 kg·N·ha-1. Mean maximum grain yield (46.13 and 47.18 q ha-1 and protein % 11.1 to 12.1%, gluten 10.6% and starch 63.5 to 67.5%) could be attained at 160 kg·N·ha-1. The use of ZT with residue retention and RT with residue retention for two crop cycle increased soil organic carbon by 54.68% and 54.22% more than that of conventional tillage (CT), respectively. The SOC, WSOC, POC and MBC were highest under ZT as against reduced (RT) and conventional tillage (CT). Nevertheless, tillage × N interactions were not significant for most of the parameters under this study, the general influence of ZT with 160 kg·N·ha-1 on sandy loam soil seemed to be most positive than RT and CT. Thus, results advise that ZT with 160 kg·N·ha-1 was finest and sustainable approach to attain more yield and also to improve SOC and MBC of subtropical India.