Diversification of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping systems for higher production efficiency, water productivity and economic viability in Madhya Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during 2006–07 to 2010–11 on diversification of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping systems under irrigated situations involving different crops, to study production efficiency and water productivity. The soil was clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.5 kg/ha), medium in organic carbon (0.66%) and available N (312 kg/ha) and low in available phosphorous (9.4 kg/ha) and high in available in potassium. The treatments consisted with 12-crop sequences which were evaluated in randomized block design with 4 replications. Hybrid rice ‘JRH 5’–gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L.)–okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) system recorded maximum production efficiency (53.81 kg/ha/day), rice-equivalent yield (18.83 t/ha/year) and water productivity (410.74 kg/ha/cm) followed by scented rice–berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) fodder + seed system (47.42 kg/ha/day, 14.56 t/ha/year, 140.11 kg/ha/cm), and the pre-dominant cropping systems of the region, i.e. rice–wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] and rice–chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (45.50 kg/ha/day, 11.69 t/ha/year and 15.57 kg/ha/cm; and 45.54 kg/ha/day, 11.15 t/ha/year) and (213.51 kg/ha/cm respectively). The lowest production efficiency, rice-equivalent yield and water productivity were recorded by hybrid rice ‘JRH 5’–garlic (Zingiber officinali Ros.)–sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] 4:2 (28.66 kg/ha/day, 9.23 t/ha/year and 125.92 kg/ha/cm). The highest net returns of (1,24,238/ha/year) were realized from hybrid rice ‘JRH 5’–gobhi sarson–okra and followed by hybrid rice–potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)–groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (87,854/ha/year) system. Intervension of improved varieties and hybrids in rice-based cropping systems such as hybrid rice in rice based cropping system ‘JRH 5’–gobhi sarson–okra, ‘JRH 5’–potato–groundnut, hybrid rice ‘JRH 5’–gobhi sarson–groundnut ‘Jyoti’ + maize ‘JM 12’ 4:2 row, rice ‘Kranti’– chickpea ‘JG 322’, rice ‘Pro Agro 6444’–onion ‘Pusa Red’–green gram ‘Pusa Vishal’, rice ‘Pro Agro 6444’–marigold ‘African Giant’–maize ‘JM 12’ cob + fodder or rice ‘Sugandha 5’–berseem ‘JB 5’ fodder + seed resulted in higher rice-equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns, production efficiency and benefit: cost ratio over pre-dominant systems of region.