Alternate cropping system for central plateau zone of Maharashtra

A field experiment was conducted during 2008–10 at Parbhani, to evaluate the production potential of 12 cropping systems in central plateau zone of Maharashtra. Of the 12 cropping systems, turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) + castor (Ricinus communis L.) (4:1) intercropping system gave significantly highest net profit (171.10 × 10³/ha), economic efficiency of 616.9/day/ha on net monetary return (NMR) basis and soybean-equivalent yield (SEY) (10.5 t/ha), followed by soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–onion (Allium cepa L.), which recorded the net profit of 125.2 × 10³, economic efficiency of 536.4/day/ha, soybean-equivalent yield of 8.2 t/ha, and Bt. cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)–wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol]–coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) (SEY 8.5 t/ha). Among the cropping sequences, maize (Zea mays L.)–chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.)–okra (Abelomoschus esculentus L) recorded the highest land-use efficiency (83.6%) followed by maize–wheat– greengram (83.4%), Bt cotton–wheat–coriander (81.7%) and turmeric + castor intercropping system (75.9%). The lowest land-use efficiency was recorded in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]–wheat sequence (62.1%). The highest benefit: cost ratio was recorded in turmeric + castor (4:1 ratio) intercropping system (3.8), followed by pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]–groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (3.7). The employment generation was the highest (317 man-days/ha/year) in maize–chickpea–okra system, followed by Bt cotton–wheat–coriander (289 man-days/ha/year). The turmeric + castor intercropping system (4:1) recorded the lowest employment generation (136 man-days/ha/year). The highest consumptive use of water (140.2 cm) and water-use efficiency (56 kg/ha-cm) were recorded in maize–wheat–greengram cropping sequence, followed by Bt cotton–wheat–coriander cropping sequence. The highest soil-nutrient status was maintained in pigeonpea–groundnut cropping system, followed by cotton–summer groundnut.