Effect of double no-till and permanent raised beds on productivity, profitability and physical properties of soil in maize (Zea mays)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under Indo-Gangetic plains of India

A field experiment was conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi on sandy loam soil during 2010 to 2012 to study the effect of tillage and crop establishment techniques, and residue management on maize (Zea mays L.)–wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol] cropping system. Results indicated that permanent beds with residue retention (PB+R) and fresh beds with crop residue incorporation (FB+R) were found comparable with respect to yield and yield attributes both in maize and wheat. FB+R recorded 25.0 and 8.3% higher grain yield of maize and wheat, respectively compared to conventional till–flat (CT–F). Likewise, PB+R gave 25.0 and 28.6% higher grain yield of maize and wheat, respectively over CT– F. Further, PB+R gave 3.5% higher system productivity compared to FB+R. PB+R gave the highest net returns of maize (39.2 × 10³/ha), wheat (50.5 × 10³/ha) and the cropping system (89.7 × 10³/ha) followed by FB+R and zero till– flat with residue retention (ZT–F+R). At upper soil surface (0–10 cm), lowest bulk density and soil penetration resistance was observed in FB+R followed by PB+R. Among all the tillage, crop establishment, and residue management techniques, ZT–F+R gave lowest yield and yield attributes, and recorded highest bulk density in upper soil surface.