1Project Directorate for Cropping Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut - 250 110. U.P.
2Central Potato Research Institute, Campus, Modipuram, Meerut - 250 110. U.P.
*Corresponding author, E-mail: dsingh_pdcsr@yahoo.co.in
A Field experiment was conducted during 2005–06 to test the suitability and adaptability of cotton, potato and wheat genotypes for cotton based system. Highest seed-cotton yield was recorded in LHH 144 (2.3–2.6 t ha−1) followed by Ankur 651 (2.2 t ha−1) and lowest in CNH 36 (1.9 t ha−1). This was associated with boll weight, which was significantly higher in LHH 144. Among potato genotypes, Kufri Pukhraj had significantly higher tuber yield and total biomass productivity than Kufri Surya, largely due to higher LAI in Kufri Pukhraj. However, tuber dry matter (%) and photosynthesis rate were invariably higher in Kufri Surya (≥19% and 20.6 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, respectively) than in Kufri Pukhraj (≤16% and 19.4 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1). In wheat, grain yield was significantly reduced in PBW 343 (13%) under late sowing (40 days) after the harvest of potato as compared with the normal sowing. This was mainly due to reduction in biomass and leaf area. The results indicate that early maturing cotton genotypes (Ankur 651 and LHH 144) and potato genotypes (Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Surya) could provide opportunities for the intensification of cotton-wheat system by inclusion of potato in northwestern plains in system mode.
Biomass, boll number, cotton-potato-wheat system, grain yield, LAI, net returns, photosynthesis, tuber yield
