Productivity, resource use efficiency and economics of rice (Oryza sativa)-based bio-intensive cropping systems in western Odisha

A field experiment was conducted at Chiplima, Odisha, under irrigated medium-land condition during 2013–14 to 2016–17, to evaluate the production potential and economics of 10 rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based bio-intensive cropping systems. Rice–potato (Solanum tubersum L.) + radish [Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin]–pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) + amaranth (Amaranthus viridis L.), rice–maize (Zea mays L.) + coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)–cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) + amaranth and rice–maize + radish–okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) + amaranth cropping systems recorded significantly higher average rice-equivalent yields (REY) (22.72, 20.73 and 19.65 t/ha respectively) than the other rice-based cropping systems, the increase being 143, 122 and 110% over the existing rice–groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) system. Rice–tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) + amaranth–watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] + amaranth system had the highest landuse efficiency (97%). Rice–potato + radish–pumpkin + amaranth revealed the highest irrigation water-use efficiency of 239 kg REY/ha-cm. The highest apparent nutrient-use productivity was realized with the rice–maize + coriander–cowpea + amaranth (46.6 kg REY/kg NPK applied). This system also recorded the highest energy-use efficiency (5.04) and energy productivity (0.41 kg REY/MJ). Rice–tomato + fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)–cowpea + amaranth (635 man-days) and rice–maize + radish–okra + amaranth (625 man-days) created higher employment opportunity. Rice–maize + coriander–cowpea + amaranth recorded the highest net returns (136,544) followed by rice–maize + radish–okra + amaranth (116,803) and rice–potato + radish–pumpkin + amaranth (111,890). These 3 cropping systems also recorded the highest system profitability and crop profitability with higher benefit: cost ratio.