Diversification of traditional cropping system for sustainable production

To meet out the demand of the specific commodities by sustaining the crop productivity and soil fertility, there is need to diversify the traditional rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat [Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.] sequence that occupies 60-70% of the total cultivated area in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The findings of field trials, conducted for 4 years at the University Research Farm, Faizabad, revealed that among the six cropping systems tested, rice-potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)-cowpea. [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] provided the highest net profit of Rs 21,1541hdyr and rice grainlequivalent yield of 22.55 t/ha besides the fertility benefit of legume crop. The second remunerative system was rice-potato-okra (seed), that showed the rice-equivalent yield potential of 20.02 t/ha and not profit of Rs 17,612lhdyr due to vegetable cash crop.