Diversification of potato-based cropping systems in red and lateritic soils of West Bengal for enhanced productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency

The present study was conducted at Agricultural farm of the Institute during 2020-21 and 2021-22 to assess the productivity and profitability of various potato-based cropping sequences in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal. Seven cropping sequences, viz., potato-sesame; potato-greengram; potato-babycorn; potato-okra; potato-groundnut; potato-blackgram and potato-vegetable cowpea was evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. Potato-vegetable cowpea sequence recorded significantly higher system productivity (47.47 t ha⁻¹) and system production efficiency (130.05 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) than all other cropping sequences. The system productivity and production efficiency of potato-babycorn sequence were comparable with potato-groundnut sequence but were significantly higher than potato-okra, potato-greengram, potato-sesame and potato-blackgram sequences. The potato-greengram sequence registered the highest employment generation (142-man days ha⁻¹) whereas the potato-vegetable cowpea sequence and potato-okra sequence recorded the highest land use efficiency (59.86%). The gross return (493×10³ ha⁻¹) and net return (365×10³ ha⁻¹) was found to be highest in potato-vegetable cowpea sequence over other potato-based cropping sequences. The highest return per rupee invested (3.86) and system economic efficiency (1017×10³ ha⁻¹) was achieved in potato-vegetable cowpea which was followed by potato-groundnut sequence. Thus, among the seven potato-based cropping sequences, it was revealed that potato-vegetable cowpea sequence had the highest system productivity, production efficiency, gross return, net return, return per rupee invested and land use efficiency in red and lateritic soil of West Bengal.