Effect of Deep Tillage on Wheat Yield and Cost Economics under Rice-wheat Cropping System in Haryana, India

Abstract

Although the rice-wheat cropping system is one of the most widely utilized agricultural techniques in South Asia, it has difficulties because of soil compaction brought on by ongoing conventional plowing. Evaluation of the effects of conventional, rotary, conservation, and deep tillage techniques on wheat yield and financial feasibility was the goal of this study. Four tillage treatment i.e. conventional tillage, rotary tillage, conservation tillage, and deep tillage involving subsoiling were applied to the wheat variety during the 2022–2023 rabi season. Grain number, earhead length, plant height, number of tillers, and 1000-grain weight were all measured, as were machine performance metrics like fuel consumption and field efficiency. The benefit-cost (B:C) ratio, net returns, gross returns, and cultivation costs were among the economic factors that were examined. In comparison to other tillage techniques, the results showed that deep tillage greatly increased grain yield (59.18 q ha⁻¹) and straw yield (73.98 q ha⁻¹). However, the expense of cultivation also increased. The highest B:C ratio (2.47) was attained with conservation tillage because of lower input costs, albeit having a somewhat lower yield. Deep and conservation tillage both produced net returns that were higher than those of conventional and rotary techniques. In conclusion, by reducing soil compaction and promoting root development, deep tillage can significantly increase wheat productivity. Better economic efficiency is provided by conservation tillage in the interim. For rice-wheat systems, the results suggest a need-based selection of tillage strategies that balance cost-effectiveness and yield improvement for sustainable crop production.