Abstract: Tillers number and paddy yield increased by 30 percent with deep tillage+puddling over deep tillage without puddling and conventional tillage. Root length and mass in the soil profile remained un-affected by the treatments but the depth wise distribution changed as in AB (12-20 cm) horizon both the parameters were greater in case of deep tilled plots than the conventional tillage plots. Bulk density (ρb) of 10 to 20 cm depth decreased due to the deep tillage. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of the 0-20 cm layer, which includes Ap (0-12 cm) and AB (12-20 cm) horizons, was 3.0 mm h–1 in the deep tillage, 1.0 mm h–1 in deep tillage+puddling and 0.1 mm h–1 in the conventional tillage. Puddling after deep tillage reduced Kfs. The deep tilled soil retained more water at -10 kPa and less at -1500 kPa metric potential suggesting a greater available water capacity than with the conventional tillage. Towards the end of the rice season, conventional tillage plots had greater total residual soil water than the moldboard plots suggesting that deep tillage can reduce the turn around time between rice harvesting and wheat planting.