The study aimed at evaluating the alternate tillage technologies for rice crop establishment. The participatory research was carried out at four permanent sites in villages Darar, Kurali, Newal and Barota during 2002-2004. Traditionally rice is transplanted after puddling which requires heavy amount of water and labour and affects the soil health due to dispersion of soil particles, increases soil compaction and make tillage operations difficult in succeeding crops requiring much energy. Concerns have now been raised for environment degradation and sustainability of resources. Direct seeding has been in practice for quite long particularly in the eastern parts of India. The direct seeding was done in puddled, un-puddled conditions and zero tillage fields, whereas, transplantation was done in zero tillage fields and on raised bed. Zero till establishment is used widely for many crops around the world but there has been less work on rice. This technology has potential to save time, energy, water and labour during rice establishment. It has been found that there was a problem of weed control in direct seeded rice particularly under un-puddled conditions. Transplantation under zero tillage was profitable as compared to conventional; however, transplantation on beds and direct seeding was less profitable. Therefore, work needs to be carried on weed and suitable variety development for direct seeded rice to popularize this technology among the farmers

Keyword: Participatory research; P