Impact of Zero-Tillage Practice on Important Nematode Population in Rice of Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Western Uttar Pradesh

Soil dwelling nematodes were sampled over the cropping season of rice in rice-wheat crop rotation until fallow from conventional tillage and zero-tillage. It is hypothesized that the retention of crop residues on soil surface in zero-tillage, favours decomposer and predatory soil nematode fauna as compared to conventional tillage where stubble is buried soon after harvest. Overall population of ecto-parasite was relatively higher in soil under zero tillage plots. Population of semi-endoparasite did show much variation throughout the cropping season, where effect of tillage on population of ecto-parasite was more pronounced at greater depth.