Alternate tillage and crop-establishment techniques in rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system for increased system productivity and profitability in eastern sub-Himalayan plains of India

This study was undertaken from the rainy season 2015 to winter season 2016–17 at the Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal. The aim of the study was to arrive at optimal tillage requirement in rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system to economize on energy, labour and time, and to work out the production economics of rice–wheat system as a whole under various crop-establishment techniques. Unpuddled rice (UPTR) followed by zero tillage (ZT) wheat recorded superior yield performances to conventional tillage-based systems over the years. Fuel and labour requirement was reduced by 86.93 and 51.85%, 66.28 and 45.67% and 77.84 and 48.97% under rice (direct seeding)–wheat (surface seeding), rice (UPTR)–wheat (ZT) and rice (bed planting)–wheat (bed planting), respectively. Rice (UPTR)–wheat (ZT) also recorded the maximum energy efficiency (12.15) and energy productivity (0.94 kg/MJ) with lowest specific energy (31.67) which was reflective of the better system output. Despite lesser cost of cultivation under rice (direct seeding)–wheat (surface seeding) system, the monetary returns as well as benefit: cost ratio were much lesser under this system due to poor crop stand owing to high pre-monsoon and monsoon shower. The maximum net returns (`33,888 and `42,835/ha during 2015–16 and 2016–17 respectively) and benefit: cost ratio (1.68 and 1.85 during 2015–16 and 2016–17 respectively) under rice (UPTR)–wheat (ZT) system reflected its superiority to the other establishment techniques.