Effect of tillage practices and fertility levels on the performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under mid hill condition of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) season of 2006 and 2007 at the Regional Research Station, Kalimpong to find out suitable conservation practices along with different dose of fertilizer for wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.). Four tillage practices (surface seeding, zero tillage, minimum tillage and conventional) in main plot and 3 fertility levels (60:30:20; 80:40:30; 100:50:40 and 120:60:50 kg NPK/ha) in sub-plot were studied. Plant growth and yield attributes significantly differ with tillage practices. Grain (3 685 kg/ha) and straw yield (5 588 kg/ha) was significantly higher with minimum tillage and was at par with zero tillage practice. Minimum tillage also registered significantly higher net profit (Rs 26 521 /ha) and B: C ratio (1.92). Application of 120:60:50 kg NPK/ha registered significantly higher grain (3 758 kg/ha) and straw yield (5 645 kg/ha), fetched higher net monetary returnas (Rs 27 985 /ha) and B:C ratio (2.06), followed by zero tillage practice.