Productivity, profitability and stability of rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping systems in eastern Uttar Pradesh

Six rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems were tested from 1995 96 to 1999 2000 at Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh. Highly intensive crop sequences, viz. rice potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. Cossonl blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.), rice potato wheat (Triticum aestivum 1. emend. Fiori Pao1.) sesbania (Sesbania aculeata Pers.) green manure and rice potato garlic (Allium sativum L.) cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] green fodder maize (Zea mays L.), were found to be Y distinctly better in terms of rice grain equivalent (15,336 to 17,782 kglha) and productivity (51.6 to 53.1 kg grainldaylha) compared to rice wheat sesbania green manure (GM) sequence which yielded rice grain equivalent of 11,450 kg/ ha and productivity of 44 kg grainldaylha. However, in terms of stability, the rice wheat green manure sequence was more stable, with a stability index 0.95 and profitable (benefit : cost ratio 1.68) than these intensive cropping systems. The benefit : cost ratio of the systems, which had potato as a component crop, became low because of higher cost of cultivation due to more labour (man days) requirement. Rice potato garlic green fodder was more nutrients exhaustive sequence which decreased organic carbon status and nutrient availability of soil. However, in situ green manuring of Sesbania aculeata during summer (raid) enhanced soil fertility and improved organic matter and nutrient availability. Rice wheat sequence with sesbania green manuring was more suitable for better net returns and stable procjuction with minimum labour (man days) requirement under irrigated conditions.