Effect of tillage and nutrient-management practices on yield, economics and soil health in rice (Oryza sativa)greengram (Vigna radiata) cropping system under rainfed condition of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 201213 and 201314 at the Instructional farm , Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Angul, Odisha, to study the effect of tillage and nutrient-manage- ment practices on yield, economics and soil health in rice (Oryza sativa L.)greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] cropping system under rainfed condition. Among the tillage practices, conventional tillage (CT)zero tillage (ZT) recorded the maximum system productivity (6.71 t/ha), production efficiency (40.6 kg/ha/day), sustainable-yield in- dex (0.87). However, the maximum available nitrogen (218.3 kg/ha), phosphorus (17.3 kg/ha), potassium (242.7 kg/ha), organic carbon (0.47%), agronomic efficiency (12.9 kg grain/kg of nutrient), net returns ( 63.6 103/ha), benefit: cost ratio (3.3) and economic efficiency ( 385.6/ha/day) were obtained in ZT (rainy season)ZT (winter season). Application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 5 t/ha FYM to kharif rice followed by 3 t/ha FYM to rabi greengram resulted in significantly higher system productivity, production efficiency and sustainable- yield index. Further, higher available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon were achieved in 50% RDF + 10 t/ha FYM to kharif rice followed by (fb) 50% RDF + 3 t/ha FYM + bioferilizers to rabi greengram. Thus, yield could be increased in CTZT, whereas better economics and soil health could be obtained in ZT (kharif)ZT (rabi) practices. Among the nutrient-management practices, 75% RDF + 5 t/ha FYM to kharif rice fb 3 t/ha FYM to rabi greengram; 50% RDF + 10 t/ha FYM to kharif rice fb 50% RDF + 3 t/ha FYM + bioferilizers to rabi greengram recorded better yield and soil health respectively in rainfed condition.