Effect of Various Tillage Practices and Residue Retention on N, P and K Content in Seed and Straw of Different Wheat Varieties in Rice-wheat System

Abstract

A field trial was conducted at rice research station, Kaul (Kaithal) of CCSHAU, Hisar during the Rabi season to study theeffect of tillage practices and residue retention on nutrient content in seed and straw of different wheat varieties. The six wheat varieties viz; HD 2967, HD 3086, WH 1105, WH 711, WH 1124 and WH 1142 were grown under four tillage systems: turbo seeder with full residue retention, turbo seeder with intact residue, zero tillage with no residue and conventional tillage with no residue methods. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content in seed and straw were not influenced by different sowing techniques during both the years but nitrogen content was significantly affected during second year of study. However, the maximum N, P and K content (%) in seed and straw of wheat was achieved with turbo seeder sowing wheat under full residue retention and minimum content was recorded in conventional tillage with no residue retention during both years. Among varieties, significant difference was observed in term of nitrogen and potassium content in seed and straw. WH 1105 recorded significantly higher N content (%) in grain while more N content (%) in straw was found in WH 1124 during 2018 and 2019. While K content (%) in seed was more in WH 711 which was at par with WH 1142 and WH 1105 whereas, K content(%)in straw was more in WH 1124 variety being at par with WH 1142 in both years of study. However, Phosphorus content (%) in grain and straw of different wheat varieties was not differed significantly during 2 years of experiment.In conclusion, the different sowing methods had non- significant effects on the nutrient content but varietal genotype of wheat had more influence nutrient content in seed and straw under different sowing techniques.