Indian Journal of Agronomy

An on-farm research study was carried out during the winter (rabi) season of 2013–15 at Morena, Madhya Pradesh to study the impact of irrigation timing and sowing methods on yield, energy indices, water productivity and soil properties in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) when grown after harvesting of toria (Brassica rapa). Different sowing times included sowing of crop after pre-irrigation (CS) and dry sowing and irrigation for germination (DS), while sowing methods included conventional tillage (CT), zero tillage (ZT) and happy seeder (HS). Results of wheat seeding with DS methods significantly influenced the growth parameters, grain, stover and protein yield, net profit, benefit: cost (B: C) ratio, energy outcomes as compared to the CS. Similarly, the maximum growth characters, grain, stover and protein yield, economic benefits, energy outcomes and water productivity (WP) were recorded with HS, followed by ZT and minimum with CT. The increase in grain yield- (12.5%) was observed with DS as compared to CS. Monetary savings of `3,990/ha was saved with ZT, followed by HS (`3,260/ha) as compared with a total cost of production under CT. Results also revealed that, savings of energy inputs were 12.8% with ZT, followed by 12.3% with HS compared with total energy inputs with CT. Total water use (TWU) with CS method was significantly higher than DS, whereas the reverse trend was observed in WP. Similarly, the TWU of wheat was significantly higher in CT than with ZT and HS, whereas maximum WP was recorded with HS, followed by ZT and the minimum with CT. After harvesting of wheat, physico-chemical properties also improved with HS, followed by ZT and CT.