Performance of fodder maize (Zea mays)-based cropping system in a farming systems approach in western zone of Tamil Nadu

An experiment was conducted on Vertisols of the western zone of Tamil Nadu with an enterprise combination of pigeon, goats, buffaloes, agroforestry and farm pond apart from cropping during July 2000-March 2002. The manure generated from the goat and buffalo enterprises integrated in the system was composted and recycled to the cropping system of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) + fodder cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]-chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) + coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) at 100% and 75% production levels, to study the effect of the source and quantity of the manure on the yield attributes, yield and economics of the crops. Highest maize fodder equivalent yield (100.58 and 96.31 tonnes/ha) was obtained with the application of composted buffalo manure at 100% production level as a result of nutrient build up and better release over time. Greater residual effect of organic manure application was also recorded in terms of higher yield of chickpea and coriander. Highest net returns of Rs 23,763 and benefit: cost ratio of 1.35 was recorded in this treatment. Recycling of manure produced in the system to the crop enterprise also reduced the cost of cultivation.