Studies on Enhancing Productivity of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Through Diversification of Existing Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Based Cropping System in North-West Plain Zone of India

Field studies were undertaken for three consecutive seasons (1999-2001, 2000-2002 and 2001-2003) at the research farm of U.P. Council of Sugarcane Research, Shahjahanpur- 242001 (U.P.), to enhance the productivity of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) through the diversification of existing rice (Oryza sativa L.)- wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori and Paol.) cropping system. Experimental results indicated that rice (skipped rows method)- sugarcane (relay cropped in September end) + potato crop sequence (T ) being statistically at par with rice (skipped rows method)- sugarcane (relay cropped in mid October) + 5 potato (T ), produced significantly higher values of growth attributes (germination %, no. of shoots, dry matter 6 accumulation in plants and leaves, leaf area index, net assimilation rate and leaf area ratio), yield contributing characters (no. of millable canes and cane length, weight and girth) and yield of cane as compared to other crop sequences in the study. The cane yield obtained under T crop sequence (94.66 t ha ) was higher to the tune 5 1 of 40.90%, 26.35%, 21.76%, 24.18% and 16.70%, respectively than that of T (rice-wheat-late cane), T 12 (rice-mustard-spring cane), T (rice-potato-spring cane), T (rice-toria-spring cane) and T (rice-sugarcane + 34 7 potato) crop sequences. Cane equivalent yield (CEY) and economic analysis revealed that the higher CEY (176.14 and 169.38 t ha ), net profit (Rs. 98678 and 92451 ha ), production efficiency (Rs. 152.28 and 11