Performance of soybean (Glycine max)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system under land configuration, mulching and nutrient management

A 2-year field experiment was carried out during 2007–08 to 2008–09 at Indore to study the effects of ridge and furrow, broad bed and furrow and Gliricidia sepium mulch along with integrated nutrient management on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] - wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol] cropping system. Ridge and furrow planting of soybean significantly increased yield attributes, yields and net return over normal sowing, while the yield and yield attributes and net return were recorded higher with broad bed furrow planting in wheat. The incorporation of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha with 25% reduction in recommended dose of fertilizers in both the crops resulted in significantly higher yield attributes and yield of both crops. Ridge and furrow planting of soybean followed by Gliricidia leaves mulch in wheat increased the system yield by 11.96%. Total cropping system yield (6.98 t/ha), net return (60,985/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.31) in system were recorded under the combination of broad bed furrow in both crops and use of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha in soybean along with 75% RDF in both crops