Diversification of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping system for enhancing productivity and employment

A field experiment on diversification of rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] cropping system was carried out during 2006–07 to 2008–09 at Farming System Centre, Chatha, Jammu under assured irrigated conditions having clay loam soil, to identify alternative cropping system with higher productivity and profitability. Ten rice-based cropping sequences with 3 dominating varieties of rice, viz. short-duration (‘IET 1410’), medium-duration (‘PC 19’), long-duration (‘Jaya’) were tested. Three years field study revealed that the existing rice–wheat cropping system can be diversified to short-duration rice (‘IET 1410’)–garlic (Allium sativum L.)– cowpea [Vigna unguiculatta (L.) Walp.], which recorded the highest rice-equivalent yield (REY) of 46.4 t/ha, net returns of 1,94,006, benefit: cost ratio of 2.59, employment-generation efficiency 110.9% and production efficiency of 148.6% with higher apparent nutrient productivity of 128.2 kg/ha. The REY (34.0 t/ha) of short duration rice (‘IET 1410’)–potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)–onion (Allium cepa L.), medium-duration rice (‘PC 19’)–marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)–frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (29.3 t/ha) were next in order. Short-duration rice (‘IET 1410’)–berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)–berseem (s) had the lowest system-equivalent yield of 11.8 t/ha) with benefit: cost ratio of 1.82. Land-utilization efficiency was the maximum with rice (‘PC 19’)–pea (Pisum sativum L.)–okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) (91.23%). The soil organic carbon content was 11 and 9% higher over their initial value in rice–berseem (fodder)–berseem (seed) and rice–potato–maize (Zea mays L.)+greengram (Vigna radiata L.) sequences, respectively, while it declined to 3.6 and 1.8% under existing rice–wheat and rice–cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)–onion sequences. Available N, P, K increased over all the treatments except in existing rice–wheat, rice–methi (Trigonella foennumgraecum)–radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and rice-garlic-cowpea cropping system. Inclusion of legumes/pulses in systems, particularly in summer season markedly improved organic carbon, available N, P and K content in soil.