Assessment of productivity and profitability of different rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping systems in Chhattisgarh plains

Experiments were conducted for 6 years (from 2003–04 to 2008–09) at Raipur to evaluate the production potential, economic viability and competence of 7 rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems under Chhattisgarh plains agro-climatic conditions. The cropping systems were rice-wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori and Paol]- fallow; rice-mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss]- green manure (GM); rice-coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) - green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]; rice- table pea (Pisum sativum L.)- maize (Zea mays L.) (fodder); rice - brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) - green manure; rice- onion (Allium cepa L.)- green manure and rice - potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) - cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]. Sunhemp (Crotolaria juncea) was grown as green manure. The highest total productivity was obtained under rice-potato-cowpea system (22.29 t/ha) while rice-brinjal-GM gave the highest net return ( 98,252/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.40). However, the rice-potato-cowpea cropping sequence provided most employment (554 days). Least number of irrigations (12) with lowest quantity of water was required under rice-onion-GM, however, maximum irrigation water use efficiency was recorded under rice-brinjal-GM (235.46 kg/ha/cm water). Rice-wheat-fallow and rice-onion-GM recorded the highest sustainability index (0.84). Rice-potato-cowpea sequence was found to be most appropriate system in terms of profit as well as sustainability over the years.