Tillage and irrigation effects on root growth, soil water depletion and yield of wheat following rice

SUMMARY 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.