Response of Zero Tillage Technique on Wheat Production in the Middle Indo-Gangetic Plains of Nalanda (Bihar)

The present study was undertaken to compare the response of zero tillage method and conventional method on wheat production with respect to various growth, yield and economic parameters in the middle Indo-Gangetic Plains of Nalanda district of Bihar. The study was conducted during Rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. Fourteen farmers were selected for the study, 7 of whom sowed with zero tillage machine and 7 followed broadcasting method. Four observation from each plot were taken, therefore, total 56 observations were taken for both the methods. Results showed that higher mean plant height was recorded by Zero Tillage (ZT) method (83.07±128 cm) followed by broadcasting method (79.57±187 cm) that shows significant difference. Significantly mean higher no. of tillers per square meters was recorded by ZT method (556.57±21.28) as compared to broadcasting method (501.07±13.48). Mean spike length was significantly higher in case of ZT method (11.96±0.53 cm) compared to broadcasting method (11.03±0.22 cm). Significantly higher mean no. of grains per spike was recorded in ZT method (45.42±0.93) compared to broadcasting method (42.46±1.03). Significantly higher mean 1000- grain weight (g) were recorded in ZT method (42.07±0.61) compared to broadcasting method (40.03±0.67). Highly significant difference was recorded in grain yield (tonnes/ha) between ZT (3.82±0.03) and broadcasting method (3.68±0.04). Also, there were highly significant difference recorded in all the economic parameters between ZT and broadcast method. Cost of cultivation (Rs. /ha), gross monetary return (Rs. /ha), net monetary return (Rs. /ha) and BCR for ZT method are 37564±289, 70657±620, 33093±677 and 1.88±0.02. Corresponding values for broadcasting method are 40427±256, 68087±728, 27659±759 and 1.68±0.02. From the two years on farm research study it is concluded that the Zero tillage method of wheat cultivation is cost saving, more remunerative with timely sowing and helpful for areas where burning of paddy straw after paddy harvesting is widely prevalent. This method can be promoted among the farmers in Bihar and other middle Indo- Gangetic Plain regions for large scale adoption.