Productivity and Economics of Castor and Pigeonpea based Cropping Systems with In-situ Moisture Conservation Practices in Shallow Alfisols of Semi Arid Regions

A field experiment was conducted at Hayathnagar Research Farm, CRIDA during 2012–13 and 2013–14 in shallow Alfisols to assess the impact of altered land configuration and planting geometry on productivity and profitability of Castor (Ricinus communis L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) based cropping systems. The experiment consisted of eight treatments: T1: conventional planting of castor at 90 cm × 45 cm, T2: conventional planting of castor with one row of cowpea between two rows of castor, T3: paired row planting of castor with bed and furrow at 60/120 cm × 45 cm, T4: paired row planting of castor + cowpea (2 rows) + bed and furrow at 60/120 cm × 45 cm, T5: conventional planting of pigeonpea at 90 cm × 20 cm, T6: conventional planting of pigeonpea with one row of cowpea between two rows pigeonpea, T7: paired row planting of pigeonpea with bed and furrow at 60/120 cm × 20 cm, T8: paired row planting of pigeonpea + cowpea (2 rows) + bed and furrow at 60/120 cm × 20 cm. The experiment was laid out in RBD with 3 replications with a gross plot size of 26 m × 5 m. Significantly higher production efficiency and system productivity per day were recorded with T4 and T8 over other treatments and was comparable with T3 and T7 in castor and pigeonpea systems, respectively. Significantly higher gross monetary returns of 44875 and 39919 ha⁻¹ for the castor and 67147 and 62525 ha⁻¹ for pigeonpea was recorded with T4 and T8 during both the years of study. Sowing of cowpea as an intercrop in both pigeonpea and castor enhanced net returns compared to the respective sole crops. Higher net returns and benefit-cost ratios (B: C Ratio) were observed with bed and furrow treatments as compared to conventional treatments in castor and pigeonpea. Altering plant geometry into paired rows with bed and furrows provide an opportunity not only for cropping intensification but also for conserving moisture which contribute higher net returns under rainfed conditions in semi-arid regions of Hyderabad.