Rice-maize system (RMS) is emerging fast in South Asia, mainly driven by farm profitability and as an adaptation strategy for future water scarcity. It provides opportunity to further reduce production costs by moving from the conventional tillage to conservation tillage systems.

Study from north–western India demonstrated that zero-till direct seeded rice followed by zero-till maize with partial residue retention from both the crops improved SOC content, soil physical properties along with gradual increase in RMS yields and profitability over conventionally tilled rice and maize.