Growth, yield and economics of rice (Oryza sativay-finger millet (Eleusine coracana) crop sequence as influenced by coirpith and farmyard manure with and without inorganic fertilizers

The response to coirpith and farmyard manure (FYM) with and without recommended inorganic fertilizers (RIF) in respect of growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn] crop sequence was studied during 1998–2000. Growth and yield parameters were generally higher in FYM @ 12.5 tonnes/ha + RIF application and was comparable with the composted coirpith (CCP) @ 12.5 tonnes/ha + RIF application. The lowest growth and yield attributes were recorded with raw coirpith application alone. Significantly higher mean grain yield of 6, 632 and 6, 471 kg/ha in rice was recorded with application of FYM + RIF and CCP + RIF, respectively, and were comparable with each other. This was 50% and 46.4% increase over the control. Similarly, for finger millet the yield increase was 60.7 and 55.8% with FYM + RIF (2, 816 kg/ha) and CCP + RIF (2, 739 kg/ha). The net returns and benefit: cost ratio were more in rice-finger millet cropping sequence applied with FYM + RIF (Rs 29, 960/ha) and CCP + RIF (Rs 29, 356/ha), while it was lowest in raw coirpith application realising Rs 14, 751/ha only.