The productivity and profitability of intercropping in rabi cereal, legume, oilseeds, and spices under rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping system

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Effect of cropping systems on

2.1.1 Growth and yield of rice

2.1.2 Total productivity of system including field crops

2.1.3 Total productivity of system including vegetables

2.1.4 Total productivity of system with intercrop

2.2 Effect of cropping systems on soil fertility status

2.3 Effect of cropping systems on weed dynamics

2.4 Water use efficiency

2.5 Economic viability

2.6 Employment generation, production and land utilization efficiency

2.7 Energetics

III. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Geographical Situation

3.2 Climatic condition

3.3 Weather condition during crop growth

3.4 Cropping history of the experimental field

3.5 Physico-chemical characteristics of soil

3.6 Experimental details

3.7 Test crops

3.7.1 Rice (Oryza sativa)

3.7.2 Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

3.7.3 Castor (Ricinus communis)

3.7.4 Lentil (Lens culinaris MediK.)

3.7.5 Mustard (Brassica juncea)

3.7.6 Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

3.7.7 Fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraceum)

3.7.8 Onion (Allium cepa L.)

3.7.9 Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

3.8 Experimental details and cultural operations

3.9 Seed treatment

3.10 Transplanting of rice

3.11 Cultural Schedule

3.12 Harvesting and threshing

3.13 Studies on crops

3.13.1 Pre-harvest observation

3.13.1.1 Plant population (No. m-2)

3.13.1.2 Plant height (cm)

3.13.1.3 Dry matter accumulation (g plant 1)

3.13.1.4 Leaf area index (LAI)

3.14 Weed studies

3.14.1 Weed density

3.14.2 Dry weight of weeds

3.15 Post harvest observations

3.15.1 Yield components

3.15.1.1 Panicles plant-1

3.15.1.2 Grains panicle-1

3.15.1.3 Panicle length (cm)

3.15.1.4 Test weight (g)

3.15.2 Biomass production

3.15.3 Grain yield (q ha -1)

3.15.4 Straw yield (q ha -1)

3.15.5 Harvest index (%)

3.15.6 Wheat equivalent yield (kg ha -1)

3.16 Chemical analysis

3.16.1 Organic carbon content

3.16.2 Available nitrogen

3.16.3 Available phosphorus

3.16.4 Available potassium

3.17 Economic analysis

3.18 System analysis

3.18.1 Productivity efficiency (PE)

3.18.2 Economic efficiency

3.18.3 Relative productivity efficiency (RPE) and relative economic efficiency (REE)

3.18.4 Irrigation water use efficiency

3.18.5 Employment generation efficiency

3.19 Energetics

3.20 Statistical analysis

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Studies in rice

4.1.1 Plant population and plant height of rice

4.1.2 Dry matter accumulation of rice (g plant -1)

4.1.3 Leaf area index of rice

4.1.4 Yield attributing characters of rice (Number of panicles plant -1)

4.1.5 Grain and straw yield (q ha-1) and harvest index (%) of rice

4.1.6 Weed studies in rice

4.1.7 Available nutrient status at kharif harvest

4.1.8 Economics of rice

4.2 Studies in rabi crops

4.2.1 Grain yield in terms of wheat equivalent yield

4.2.2 Weed dynamics in rabi crops

4.2.3 Available nutrient status at rabi harvest

4.2.4 Economics of rabi crops

4.3 Total productivity and system Analysis

4.3.1 Total productivity in terms of WEY

4.3.2 Economics of the system

4.3.3 Production efficiency and economic efficiency

4.3.4 Relative productivity efficiency and relative economic efficiency

4.3.5 Employment generation efficiency

4.3.6 Irrigation water use efficiency and irrigation water requirement

4.3.7 Energetics

V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH WORK

Research Objectives & Topics

The primary research objective of this study is to evaluate the production potential, economic viability, energy efficiency, and soil impact of various rabi intercropping systems within a rice-based cropping framework in the Chhattisgarh region of India.

• Diversification of rice-based cropping systems using cereal, legume, oilseed, and spice intercrops.
• Assessment of production potential and economic viability of rabi intercropping.
• Evaluation of energy input, output, and energy use efficiency in different cropping systems.
• Impact analysis of bio-intensive crops on soil fertility and nutrient status.
• Identification of suitable and remunerative rice-based crop sequences for regional sustainability.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

I. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the importance of rice-based cropping systems in India and the need for diversification to improve productivity, soil health, and economic returns.

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE: Examines previous research on cropping system effects on yield, soil fertility, weed dynamics, water use efficiency, economic viability, and energy metrics.

III. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the experimental site, climate, cropping history, test crops, cultural operations, and analytical techniques used to evaluate the different cropping systems.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents experimental data on plant growth, yield, economics, and resource efficiency, comparing different rice varieties and rabi intercropping combinations.

V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH WORK: Provides a condensed overview of the findings, final conclusions on the most remunerative systems, and recommendations for further research.

Keywords

Rice-based cropping system, Intercropping, Rabi crops, Wheat equivalent yield, Production efficiency, Economic efficiency, Soil fertility, Weed dynamics, Water use efficiency, Energetics, Chhattisgarh, Sustainability, Agronomy, Crop diversification, Net return.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this agricultural research?

The research primarily evaluates the productivity and economic performance of various rice-based intercropping systems in the rabi (winter) season, specifically within the agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh, India.

Which specific intercropping combinations were analyzed?

The study analyzed combinations such as wheat + lentil, castor + lentil, mustard + lentil, sunflower + lentil, wheat + fenugreek, and onion + coriander, among others, grown after a kharif rice crop.

What is the primary goal of the study?

The primary goal is to identify high-yielding, remunerative, and sustainable crop sequences that optimize resource use, including water, energy, and land, while maintaining or improving soil fertility.

Which research methodology was employed?

The study utilized a field experiment conducted at the Research cum Instructional Farm of I.G.K.V., Raipur, using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight different cropping system treatments and three replications.

What topics are covered in the main section?

The main sections cover growth characters of rice, yield components, weed studies, nutrient status of the soil, economic analysis, and energy metrics (input-output efficiency) of the different systems.

What defining keywords characterize this work?

Key terms include rice-based cropping system, intercropping, wheat equivalent yield, production efficiency, economic efficiency, energy use efficiency, and soil fertility status.

How does the study conclude regarding economic viability?

The study concludes that the hybrid rice ‘Indira Sona’-onion + coriander system provided the maximum net return, while the rice ‘MTU-1010’-mustard + lentil sequence was highly competitive in terms of benefit-cost ratio.

Why is the inclusion of vegetable crops significant in this study?

Vegetable crops, when included in the cropping sequence, were found to significantly increase total system productivity and net returns compared to traditional cereal-only systems.