The influence of tillage system and nitrogen fertilization on crop residue and its effect on crop emergence of barley under rainfed conditions were studied from 1998 to 2002. Evolution of crop residues was monitored from harvest to the next crop establishment. Crop emergence and early growth were also estimated. No-tillage presented higher crop residue on the surface than minimum tillage and conventional tillage during the whole period studied. Higher nitrogen rates also produced higher crop residue biomass. However, crop residue biomass did not affect crop emergence. Moreover, higher values of crop residue biomass, obtained by no-tillage and high nitrogen fertilization treatments, were associated with superior early crop growth. Higher soil temperature at 5 cm-depth shown by the no-tillage system during the crop emergence period could explain the higher early crop growth observed under no-tillage.