Assessment of productivity and profitability of different rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping systems in Chhattisgarh plains

Experiments were conducted for 6 years (from 2003-04 to 2008-09) at Raipur to evaluate the production poten- tial, economic viability and competence of 7 rice ( Oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems under Chhattisgarh plains agro-climatic conditions. The cropping systems were rice-wheat [ Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori and Paol]- fallow; rice-mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss]- green manure (GM); rice-coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.) - green gram [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek ]; rice- table pea ( Pisum sativum L.)- maize ( Zea mays L.) (fodder); rice brinjal ( Solanum melongena L.) - green manure; rice- onion ( Allium cepa L.)- green manure and rice potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]. Sunhemp ( Crotolaria juncea) was grown as green manure. The highest total productivity was obtained under ricepotatocowpea system (22.29 t/ ha) while rice-brinjal-GM gave the highest net return (` 98,252 /ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.40).However, the rice- potato-cowpea cropping sequence provided most employment (554 days). Least number of irrigations (12) with lowest quantity of water was required under rice-onion-GM, however, maximum irrigation water use efficiency was recorded under rice-brinjal-GM (235.46 kg/ha/cm water). Rice-wheat-fallow and rice-onion-GM recorded the high- est sustainability index (0.84). Rice-potato-cowpea sequence was found to be most appropriate system in terms of profit as well as sustainability over the years.