Effect of residue management on productivity and economics of pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum)-based cropping system under zero-till condition

A field study was conducted at New Delhi during 2010–11 and 2011–12 to assess the effect of residue management practices, viz. no residue, crop residue @ 5t/ha and green Leucaena twigs @ 10 t/ha on productivity and profitability of rainy-season pearlmillet {Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz} followed by winter-season crops, viz. wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori & Paol.}, chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and mustard {Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Cosson.}. Both rainy and winter-season crops were grown with zero-tillage following recommended package of practices under rainfed conditions. Pearlmillet recorded significantly higher grain yield (2.23 t/ha) with the application of Leucaena twigs in 2010, but produced comparatively higher yield with crop residues (1.58 t/ha) than Leucaena twigs (1.41 t/ha) in 2011. Chickpea with crop residue recorded significantly higher seed yield (1.95 t/ha) than with Leucaena twigs (1.56 t/ha). Economic analysis showed the highest returns from pearlmillet with Leucaena twigs in 2010 and after chickpea with crop residue in 2011. System productivity and net returns/ invested were higher with Leucaena twigs in pearlmillet–chickpea, followed by pearlmillet–mustard and pearlmillet–wheat cropping system.