Statistical assessment of tillage and nitrogen management for sustainable soil moisture and productivity of maize and wheat in dry sub-humid inceptisoils

A study was conducted to assess the sustainability of tillage and fertilizer nitrogen effects on soil moisture and grain yield of rainfed maize and wheat in a dry sub-humid inceptisol at Dry Land research sub station, Dhiansar, SKUAST, Jammu. The treatments comprised of conventional and minimum tillage with 4 levels of fertilizer N @ 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg/ha, The results revealed that, conventional tillage gave significantly higher bulk density and lower soil moisture and infiltration rate compared to minimum tillage. Reduction in infiltration was 7.87% and 12.12% higher under conventional tillage compared to minimum tillage, receptively. Effective tillers/m row was significantly higher with minimum tillage compared to conventional tillage. Higher maize and wheat yields were achieved with minimum tillage compared to conventional tillage. The growth and yield parameters showed significant variation due to N application. Application of 60 and 90 kg N/ha were at par and gave significantly higher yields of both crops over 0 and 30 kg N/ha. Regression models were calibrated to assess the sustainability of tillage and fertilizer N treatments for conserving maximum soil moisture and grain yield of maize and wheat. The minimum tillage with 90 kg/ha of fertilizer N appciumin was superior for commencing maximum soil moisture and providing grain yield of maize and wheat crops under dry sub-humid Inceptisols.