Effect of organics and inorganics on productivity and uptake of nutrients in rice (Oryza sativa)-toria (Brassica campestris) cropping system

A field experiment was conducted during 2003–04 and 2004–05 at Umiam, Meghalaya to identify a suitable economically viable and feasible nutrient management practice for rice (Oryza sativa L.) - toria (Brassica campestris L.) cropping system. Application of farmyard manure (FYM) 2.5 t/ha + Eupatorium 2.5 t/ha, being on a par with Eupatorium 5 t/ha, improved significantly the grain, straw and NPK uptake by rice, registering 11.5, 13.4 and 9.7% increase in grain yield over FYM 5 t/ha, Alnus 5 t/ha and FYM 2.5 t/ha + Alnus 2.5 t/ha respectively. Manuring of rice with FYM 2.5 t/ha + Eupatorium 2.5 t/ha also significantly improved the mean rice-equivalent yield (REY) of the system (10.6–11.7%) compared with Alnus 5 t/ha and FYM 2.5 t/ha + Alnus 2.5 t/ha respectively, giving the highest net returns (Rs 12.62 × 10³/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.93). However, significantly higher mean grain yield of rice (3.52 t/ha), system productivity (4.64 t REY/ha) and highest monetary returns were achieved with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) to rice + 50% RDF to toria among the inorganic fertilizer treatments. The rice - toria cropping system also removed the maximum N (99.7 kg/ha), P (19.9 kg/ha) and K (100.9 kg/ha) when applied with 100% RDF to rice + 50% RDF to toria along with 5 t organic manure to rice. Thus the application of FYM 2.5 t/ha + Eupatorium 2.5 t/ha with 100% RDF to rice + 50% RDF to toria was found beneficial in terms of REY and economics of rice-toria cropping system in mid-hills dry terraces.