Effect of rice (Oryza sativa) residue and nitrogen on performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under rice-wheat cropping system

A field experiment was conduced during the winter (rabi) season of 2001–02 and 2002–03 to find out the effect of rice (Oryza sativa L.) residue and N levels on performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) in rice-wheat cropping system. Highest mean grain yield of 33.6 q/ha was recorded on incorporation of residue, which was respectively 14.72 and 8.64 per cent more than when the residue was removed and retained. Residue incorporation also increased the organic carbon content in the soil by 0.37, 0.35 and 0.31 per cent in residue incorporated, retained and removed treatment respectively. It also increased the organic carbon content in the soil by 17.73 and 5.71 per cent in comparison with residue removed and retained treatment over a period of 2 years. Application of 150 kg N/ha increased the growth, yield attributes and yield of wheat. It increased the grain yield by 96.6, 65.0 and 37.3 per cent compared with N @ 0, 50 and 100 kg/ha. Available N in the soil also increased by 10 per cent during the 2 years.