Changes in tillage and crop establishment practices offer considerable potential for sustainably improving the productivity of wheat in the rice-wheat systems of South Asia. These systems, which cover approximately 12 million hectareas of cropped area, are critical to regional food security. New practices being evaluated can raise input efficiency and reduce machinery use, while raising yields and cutting costs - typically by overcoming problems of late wheat planting. Several tillage options are distributed, and results of research conducted on these options to date is summarized. Zero tillage systems, ranging from surface seeding to planting with four-wheel tractor seed drills, provide higher yields at lest cost and also save on fuel use and tractor wear and tear. Reduce tillage systems, which include drills that combine land preparation and seeding in one operation, also show promise. These reduced and zero tillage systems are discussed in light of issues that warrant additional research, such as interactions between tillage and fertilizer use (methods and timing of application), pest management strategies, variety, and tillage and crop establishment practices for rice. Additional research is also needed to determine the positive or negative longer-term consequences of the tillage practices described in this paper. Research management strategies for encouraging the development and adoption of alternative tillage and crop establishment practices are discussed as well.

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R98-99CIMPU|9806|AGRIS 9802|R97-98CIMPU|anterior|R98CIMPU|FINAL9798|BUSQ

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