PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF NON-TILLED WHEAT (TRITICUM-AESTIVUM) AFTER PUDDLED TRANSPLANTED RICE (ORYZA-SATIVA)

The production technology of non-tilled wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) after puddled transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) improved the wheat yield and the resultant sustainability of this cropping system. Satisfactory plant population and high yield of non-tilled wheat can be achieved with the use of 120 kg/ha seed rate under timely-sown conditions and 150 kg/ha under late-sown dates. This technique of wheat establishment advances the seeding operation and reduces the cost of production by saving energy (13%). The restricted supply of nutrient and irrigation adversely affects the yield of non-tilled wheat crop following rice. Future thrust is needed to study the utility of non-tilled soil after puddled transplanted rice, bio-physical aspects of root proliferation and tillering pattern of non-tilled wheat for moisture and nutrient utilization with the development of seed-cum-fertilizer drill, suitable for different sites and situations. Further research work is needed to develop agro-techniques of relay cropping wheat with rice.