Alternate cropping system for central plateau zone of Maharashtra

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 200810 at Parbhani, to evaluate the production potential of 12 crop- ping systems in central plateau zone of Maharashtra. Of the 12 cropping systems, turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) + castor (Ricinus communis L.) (4:1) intercropping system gave significantly highest net profit ( 171.10 103/ha), economic efficiency of 616.9/day/ha on net monetary return (NMR) basis and soybean-equivalent yield (SEY) (10.5 t/ha), followed by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]onion (Allium cepa L.), which recorded the net profit of 125.2 103, economic efficiency of 536.4/day/ha, soybean-equivalent yield of 8.2 t/ha, and Bt. cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol]coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) (SEY 8.5 t/ha). Among the cropping sequences, maize (Zea mays L.)chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.)okra (Abelomoschus esculentus L) recorded the highest land-use efficiency (83.6%) followed by maizewheat greengram (83.4%), Bt cottonwheatcoriander (81.7%) and turmeric + castor intercropping system (75.9%). The lowest land-use efficiency was recorded in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]wheat sequence (62.1%). The highest benefit: cost ratio was recorded in turmeric + castor (4:1 ratio) intercropping system (3.8), followed by pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (3.7). The employment generation was the highest (317 man-days/ha/year) in maizechickpeaokra system, followed by Bt cottonwheatcoriander (289 man-days/ha/year). The turmeric + castor intercropping system (4:1) recorded the lowest employment generation (136 man-days/ha/year). The highest consumptive use of water (140.2 cm) and water-use efficiency (56 kg/ha-cm) were recorded in maizewheatgreengram cropping sequence, followed by Bt cottonwheatcoriander cropping sequence. The highest soil-nutrient status was maintained in pigeonpeagroundnut cropping system, followed by cottonsummer groundnut.