Assessment of Agro-Morphological and Yield-Related Traits of Vijay Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Variety Under Different Ploughing and Non-Ploughing Techniques

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is essential for global food security, but its productivity is constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses, including climate change. This study examines the effects of different tillage methods on the agro-morphological and yield-related traits of the Vijay wheat variety under varying ploughing and non-ploughing techniques. Conducted at the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Research Centre (AMTRC) in Nawalpur, Sarlahi, Nepal, the experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven tillage practices: (i) Cultivator + Rotavator + Seed sowing, (ii) Cultivator + Zero tillage, (iii) Rotavator + Seed sowing + Rotavator, (iv) Zero tillage + Seed drill, (v) Seed drill, (vi) Zero tillage, and (vii) Farmer’s practice. Key traits measured included phenological stages, tiller count, plant height, spike length, leaf number, and grain yield. The results revealed significant variations among tillage practices. The Cultivator + Rotavator + Seed sowing method produced the highest grain yield (4.060 t/ha), outperforming other treatments. Correlation analysis showed that days to maturity (DM) had a strong positive correlation with grain yield (r = 0.700***), whereas days to anthesis (DA) exhibited a negative correlation (r = -0.195). Regression analysis confirmed DM as a key yield determinant (b = 0.1167, r² = 0.462), while plant height also showed a positive influence (r² = 0.412). These findings highlight the importance of selecting optimal tillage practices to improve wheat productivity. Integrating conservation tillage with conventional methods offers a sustainable approach to enhancing yield in diverse agricultural systems.