Production and economics of winter sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)-summer vegetables cropping sequences under irrigated conditions of western Maharashtra

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rati) and summer seasons of 1995–96 to 1997–98 at Rahuri, to study the production potential and economics of (rabi) sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench]-summer vegetable cropping sequences under irrigated conditions. Sorghum-okra (Hibiscus esculentus L) sequence gave the significantly highest sorghum-grain equivalent yield (260.8 q/ha) and net monetary returns (Rs 110,678/ha) with 95 cm irrigation water during the rabi and summer seasons, followed by sorghum-brinjal (Solarium melongena L) (204.59 q/ha and Rs 82,045/ha) with 102 cm irrigation water. Next in order was sorghum-chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) and lowest was in sorghum-clusterbean [Cymopsis tetragonoloba (L) Taubert]. The highest consumptive use was recorded in sorghum-okra (125 cm) but maximum water-use efficiency of 174 kg/ha-cm was recorded in sorghum-brinjal. The per day productivity (Rs 440/day/ha) and returns per unit of water used (Rs 1,094/ha-cm) and benefit: cost ratio (5.17) were maximum in sorgum-okra sequence. Optimum level of irrigation (at 80 mm CPE to sorghum and 60 mm CPE to vegetable) recorded the maximum sorghum grain-equivalent yield and net returns than suboptimum (at 125 mm CPE to sorghum and 90 mm CPE to vegetables). The per day productivity was 32% higher in optimum irrigation than suboptimum irrigation (Rs 262/day/ha).