Comparative study of wheat genotypes of north eastern plains zone in zero tillage and surface seeding under rice-wheat system

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to assess the genetic potential of improved and promising wheat genotypes under differ ent tillage options (zero and surface seeding), for their suitability to eastern and far-eastern parts of India. We concluded that in undulating areas where soil moisture is very high, cultivars NW 1014, Raj 3765, HUW 234 and HUW 468 performed better and gave higher yields when sown through surface seeding. Zero-tillage technology was found more useful than other tillage options, because it helped to advance wheat sowing by 10–15 days in otherwise late-sown areas, and cultivars such as DBW14 could be successfully cultivated under zero tillage conditions for late sown conditions and genotypes are PBW 343, CBW 38 and HUW 468 timely sown were found suitable, because they outyielded others. Genotypes which showed good grain yield, number of tillers, acceptable maturity, plant height, and 1000 grain weight compared to the others. These improved cultivars already are released in the region and many have been used in breeding programs as parents.