Wheat stand establishment was studied in a randomized complete block design (cropping systems x tillage practices x fertilizer treatments) under rainfed condition, during 2000-01 and 2000-02. On the basis of wheat emergence (m-2) and emergence rate index, wheat stand establishment was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the fallow-wheat cropping system compared to maize-wheat, mungbean-wheat, and cowpea-wheat system. Tillage practices (shallow and deep) and fertilizer treatments {recommended dose of fertilizer (F); fertilizer + manure (F+FYM); manure only (FYM) and control (C)} did not show significant effect on both emergence and emergence rate index. Overall, significantly (P<0.05) higher residual soil moisture content was available in fallow-wheat system which resulted in better wheat emergence. This ultimately resulted in vigorous crop stand establishment. The biomass harvest observed at 2-3 leaf stage in the fallow-wheat system was higher than other systems under study.