TILLAGE AND IRRIGATION EFFECTS ON ROOT-GROWTH, SOIL-WATER DEPLETION AND YIELD OF WHEAT FOLLOWING RICE

The effects of deep tillage and no-tillage on soil physical properties and wheat yield following rice were compared with conventional tillage at three irrigation rates (irrigation water: open pan evaporation ratios of 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2) in 1982-85 at the experimental station of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Deep tillage decreased soil bulk density and penetrometer resistance, and increased depth of rooting, profile water use and wheat yield. No-tillage adversely affected all these variables. The tillage effects varied with amount and distribution of rain during the cropping season.