Suitability of Different Crops and Cropping Systems in Dryland Conditions in Different Rainfall Situations of Marathwada Region in Maharashtra, itadia

A field experiment was conducted for five years (2000–01 to 2004–05) at Dryland and Organic Farming Research Centre, M.A.U., Parbhani, to study the effect of sowing dates on productivity of different crops and cropping systems. Normal sowing recorded higher productivity (2515 kg-ha⁻¹ monetary returns (27995 Rs-ha⁻¹) and sorghum grain equivalent of 7971 kg per ha and was significantly higher to late sowing dates. The mean productivity in bajra + pigeonpea 1CS was significantly higher (2154 kg-ha⁻¹) and soybean + pigeonpea ICS recorded higher mean monetary returns of Rs.21872 per ha whereas deshi cotton + soybean recorded higher sorghum grain equivalent of 6145 kg per ha. Interaction effect between sowing dates and cropping systems found to be significant. Productivity in hybrid sorghum + pigeonpea, monetary returns and sorghum grain equivalent in hybrid cotton + soybean was higher under normal sowing. Soybean + pigeonpea performed better under delayed sowing.