Effect of resource-conserving and planting techniques on productivity of maize (Zea mays)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

A field experiment was conducted on a silty clay loam soil of Palampur during 2009–2011, to study effect of tillage and planting-management techniques in maize (Zea mays L.)–wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.} cropping system. Zero tillage in rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons resulted comparable yield as with multi-crop planter, manual seed drill and conventional tillage methods. However, multi-crop planter and manual seed drill in the rainy season produced significantly higher effective plants/m2 of maize (8.0 and 7.8, respectively). In case of wheat, conventional tillage in the rainy season produced significantly the highest effective spikes/m2 (322.6) over the other treatments. However, multi-crop planter in the winter season produced significantly the highest effective spikes/m2 (337.6). Water productivity in the rainy season was minimum under zero tillage {41.3 kg maize grain equivalent yield (MEY)/ha-mm} and maximum under manual seed drill {48.5 kg (MEY)/ha-mm}, while water use was the lowest under manual seed drill and the maximum under zero tillage. System's total energy output was the highest with conventional tillage in the rainy season and multi-crop planter in the winter season. In maize crop, manual seed drill and multi-crop planter in the rainy season produced significantly lower total weed count at 60 days after sowing (DAS). Similarly, the total weed dry weight at 90 DAS was lowest under manual seed drill. In wheat crop, multi-crop planter, manual seed drill and conventional tillage in the winter season produced significantly lower weed count (at 30 and 60 DAS, respectively) compared to zero tillage. Seeding with zero tillage, multi-crop planter and manual seed drill in the rainy season and the winter season could save 9, 11.5 and 6 mandays and 22, 16 and 9 man-days, respectively, over the conventional tillage.