Influence of crop residue and nitrogen management on nutrient uptake, yield, and economics of rice-wheat cropping system

The present investigation was conducted to find out optimize Nitrogen (N) dose and its scheduling to achieve nutrient uptake and higher productivity of ZT wheat with residue retention at the research farm of CCSHAU, Regional Research Station (RRS), Karnal during rabi seasons of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. The field experiment comprised four main plot treatments viz., Zero tillage wheat-Happy seeder (ZTW-HS) with full residue (chopped), ZTW-HS with full residue (unchopped), ZTW-HS with partial residues (anchored stubbles), and conventional tillage wheat- drill sown (CTW-DS) with full residue (chopped); and six sub-plots having two N levels viz., 150 and 180 kg/ha applied into 2 and 3 splits, i.e. at sowing, before 1st irrigation, after 1st irrigation, and after 2nd irrigation. ZTW-HS with full residue (unchopped) in wheat increased the grain yield of wheat by 9.18% more than CTW-DS with full residue (chopped). Three N-splits, i.e. at sowing, before 1st irrigation and after 1st irrigation in wheat increased grain yield of wheat by 8.08% more than 2 splits, i.e. at sowing and after 1st irrigation. ZTW-HS with full residue (unchopped) with N@150 kg/ha with 3 splits, i.e. at sowing, before 1st irrigation and after 1st irrigation provides the best combination effect and improved the nutrient uptake in grain and straw, N, Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), and yield of wheat and provide high economic returns.