On-farm Evaluation of Zero Tillage Wheat in Dhanusha, Nepal

Field trials were conducted at two locations in Dhanusha, Nepal in winter season of 2016 at farmer's fields to evaluate performance of tillage and crop establishment methods on yield and economics in rice-wheat system. Four tillage and crop establishment methods; conventional tilled transplanted rice followed by conventional tilled wheat (CTTPR-CTW), conventional tilled transplanted rice followed by zero tilled wheat (CTTPR-ZTW), unpuddled transplanted rice followed by zero tilled wheat (UNTPR-ZTW), zero tilled direct seeded rice followed by zero tilled wheat (ZTDSR-ZTW) were evaluated. Tillage and crop establishment methods significantly influenced grain yield and net benefit. ZTDSR followed by ZTW had the highest grain yield and net benefit of 454.9 US $. The results showed that ZTDSR-ZTW could be a sustainable and economic option for rice-wheat system against CTTPR and CTW. However, future works are needed for faster dissemination of the resource conservation technology among the farmers. The technology also improves livelihoods of the people by conserving natural resources and mitigating labor shortage issues.