Productivity and economics of soybean (Glycine m a ~ ) - based cropping sequences under irrigated conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 1995-97 at Rahuri, to study the productivity and economics of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.1-based cropping sequences under irrigated conditions. The total grain equivalent of soybean- chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (65.92 qlha) was significantly higher than the rest of sequences. Next in order was soybean-wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) (50.60 qlha) and lowest was in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)- wheat (41.61 qlha). Optimum level of irrigation (at all critical growth stages) recorded the maximum grain-equivalent yield than suboptimum (elimination of 1 irrigation from recommended CGS). The total consumptive use (CU) was maximum in soybean-wheat (55 cm), while water-use efficiency (WUE) was higher in soybean-chickpea (153 kglha-cm). The total CU and WUE were 24% higher and 20% lower respectively in optimum as compared to suboptimum irrigation. The soybean-chickpea sequence gave significantly higher gross (Rs 59,274lha) and net retums (Rs 46,530lha) than rest of sequences, followed by soybean-wheat sequence. The per day productivity (Rs 270ldaylha) and retums per unit of water used (Rs 1,398lha-cm) were maximum in soybean-chickpea (4.65) than other sequences studied. The optimum irrigation recorded significantly higher gross and net retums than suboptimum irrigation. The returns per unit of water used were 15% lower ip optimum irrigation than suboptimum irrigation (Rs 1,049lha-cm).