Performance of diversified cropping sequences for productivity, profitability and land use efficiency under south-eastern Rajasthan, India

A field experiment was conducted during 4 consecutive years (2015–16 to 2018–19) at Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj, Kota, Rajasthan to study the performance of diversified cropping sequences for productivity, profitability and land-use efficiency under south-eastern Rajasthan. The experiment comprised 10 cropping sequences in a randomized block design with 3 replications. Maximum soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] equivalent yield (8,507 kg/ha), production efficiency (31.16 kg/ha/day) and relative production efficiency (79.85%) were obtained in fodder sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]–bitter guard [Momordica charantia (L.)] (low tunnel) cropping sequence. The maximum land-use efficiency of (86.51%) was observed in direct-seeded rice [Oryza sativa (L.)] (short duration)-desi wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–summer greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] cropping sequence followed by short duration soybean-Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.)]–cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)] Walp.] (vegetable + fodder) (81.85%) and sweet corn [Zea mays (L.)]–field pea (Pisum sativum var. arvenses (L.) Poir.)–onion [Allium cepa (L.)] (transplanted) (81.03%) crop sequences. Maximum and significantly higher net returns (`163,240/ha) and relative economic efficiency (46.64%) were fetched in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (broad bed) + direct-seeded rice (furrow)–vegetable pea (broad bed) + coriander [Coriandrum sativum (L.)] (furrow)-spring greengram. The next best treatment was sweet corn–field pea–onion (transplanted), closely followed by quality protein maize (raised bed)–fennel [Foeniculum vulgare (L.)] (raised bed) to the tune of 39.23 and 36.69% over existing system, respectively. The maximum and significantly higher benefit: cost ratio (2.55) was fetched with quality protein maize (raised bed)–fennel (raised bed) cropping sequence, being at par with blackgram (broad bed) + direct-seeded rice (furrow)–vegetable pea (broad bed) + coriander (furrow)-spring greengram (2.52). Highest economic efficiency (`612/ha/day) was recorded in soybean (short duration) + red gram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] (2:1 row)–oat [Avena sativa (L.)] for fodder–summer greengram cropping sequence, followed by blackgram (broad bed) + direct seeded rice (furrow)– vegetable pea (broad bed) + coriander (furrow)– spring greengram (`594/ha/day) and quality protein maize (raised bed)–fennel (raised bed) (`590/ha/day). Directseeded rice (long duration)–berseem [Trifolium alexandrinum (L.)] (fodder) crop sequence had the lowest soybean-equivalent yield (4,546 kg/ha), production efficiency (16.79 kg/ha/day), relative production efficiency (– 3.89%), economic efficiency (`348/ha/day) and relative economic efficiency (–15.43%). Thus, it can be concluded that blackgram (broad bed) + direct seeded rice (furrow)-vegetable pea (broad bed)-leafy coriander (furrow)-spring greengram was found more productive and remunerative cropping sequence followed by sweet corn–field pea-onion (transplanted) and quality protein maize (raised bed) –fennel (raised bed) as diversified cropping sequences for better productivity, profitability and land use efficiency compared to existing soybean-wheat cropping system under south-eastern Rajasthan, India.