Effect of various rice residue management practices on performance of wheat in south-western region of Punjab

Abstract

On-farm trials were conducted during three consecutive Rabi seasons from 2016-2019 to evaluate the influence of different paddy straw management practices on productivity and yield attributes of wheat. Besides these, effects on soil fertility were also observed. Rice straw was managed by harvesting of crop using straw management system (SMS) fitted combine, then wheat was sown with different methods like happy seeder, mulcher, reversible mould board plough, zero till drill and conventional method. The results revealed a significant improvement in productivity of happy seeder sown wheat. The maximum grain yield was recorded when wheat was sown with happy seeder machine as compared to the treatment where it was sown after incorporating straw with mulcher and RMB plough. The yield attributes of wheat like numbers of effective tillers, plant height, ear length, number of grains per ear and test weight were also found to be significantly higher in happy seeder sown wheat. Significantly higher soil pH, available phosphorus and potassium status was observed in happy seeder sown wheat. Whereas, OC was significantly higher in RMBP followed by happy seeder sown wheat. The average higher net returns and benefit: cost ratio were also found to be maximum under wheat sown with happy seeder as compared with other methods.