Abstract: | Field experiments were conducted on a silty clay loam (Typic Hapludalf) during 1988–1990 to study the effect of tillage practices, such as puddling (P), compaction (C) and non-puddled dry tillage (NP) with four rates of lantana (Lantana camara L.) residue incorporation (0(M0), 10(M1), 20(M2) and 30 (M3) t ha−1), on soil physical properties and yield of rice. Greatest water retention was noticed under PM3, followed by CM3 and NPM3. The soil penetration resistance was lowest for NPM3, followed by PM3 and CM3. Puddled treatments either with or without residue impeded infiltration as compared with C and NP. Puddled treatments either with or without residue had higher soil as well as flood water temperature. Residue addition invariably reduced the ploughing energy required after rice harvest; however, among puddling and compaction treatments, puddling consumed less energy. The rice grain yields under puddled treatments were significantly higher than under C and NP irrespective of residue addition. |