Effect of tillage and nutrient-management practices on yield, economics and soil health in rice (Oryza sativa)-greengram (Vigna radiata) cropping system under rainfed condition of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 2012–13 and 2013–14 at the Instructional farm, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Angul, Odisha, to study the effect of tillage and nutrient-management practices on yield, economics and soil health in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] cropping system under rainfed condition. Among the tillage practices, conventional tillage (CT)-zero tillage (ZT) recorded the maximum system productivity (6.71 t/ha), production efficiency (40.6 kg/ha/day), sustainable-yield index (0.87). However, the maximum available nitrogen (218.3 kg/ha), phosphorus (17.3 kg/ha), potassium (242.7 kg/ha), organic carbon (0.47%), agronomic efficiency (12.9 kg grain/kg of nutrient), net returns (63.6 × 10³/ha), benefit: cost ratio (3.3) and economic efficiency (385.6/ha/day) were obtained in ZT (rainy season)-ZT (winter season). Application of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 5 t/ha FYM to kharif rice followed by 3 t/ha FYM to rabi greengram resulted in significantly higher system productivity, production efficiency and sustainableyield index. Further, higher available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon were achieved in 50% RDF + 10 t/ha FYM to kharif rice followed by (fb) 50% RDF + 3 t/ha FYM + bioferilizers to rabi greengram. Thus, yield could be increased in CT-ZT, whereas better economics and soil health could be obtained in ZT (kharif)-ZT (rabi) practices. Among the nutrient-management practices, 75% RDF + 5 t/ha FYM to kharif rice fb 3 t/ha FYM to rabi greengram; 50% RDF + 10 t/ha FYM to kharif rice fb 50% RDF + 3 t/ha FYM + bioferilizers to rabi greengram recorded better yield and soil health respectively in rainfed condition.