Diversification of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping systems for higher production efficiency, water productivity and economic viability in Madhya Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during 200607 to 201011 on diversification of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping systems under irrigated situations involving different crops, to study production efficiency and water pro- ductivity. The soil was clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.5 kg/ha), medium in organic carbon (0.66%) and available N (312 kg/ha) and low in available phosphorous (9.4 kg/ha) and high in available in potas- sium. The treatments consisted with 12-crop sequences which were evaluated in randomized block design with 4 replications. Hybrid rice JRH 5gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L.)okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) system re- corded maximum production efficiency (53.81 kg/ha/day), rice-equivalent yield (18.83 t/ha/year) and water produc- tivity (410.74 kg/ha/cm) followed by scented riceberseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) fodder + seed system (47.42 kg/ha/day, 14.56 t/ha/year, 140.11 kg/ha/cm), and the pre-dominant cropping systems of the region, i.e. ricewheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] and ricechickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (45.50 kg/ha/day, 11.69 t/ha/year and 15.57 kg/ha/cm; and 45.54 kg/ha/day, 11.15 t/ha/year) and (213.51 kg/ha/cm respectively). The lowest production efficiency, rice-equivalent yield and water productivity were recorded by hybrid rice JRH 5garlic (Zingiber officinali Ros.)sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] 4:2 (28.66 kg/ha/day, 9.23 t/ha/year and 125.92 kg/ha/cm). The highest net returns of ( 1,24,238/ha/year) were realized from hybrid rice JRH 5gobhi sarsonokra and followed by hybrid ricepotato (Solanum tuberosum L.)groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) ( 87,854/ha/year) system. Intervension of improved varieties and hybrids in rice-based cropping systems such as hybrid rice in rice based cropping system JRH 5gobhi sarsonokra, JRH 5potatogroundnut, hybrid rice JRH 5gobhi sarsongroundnut Jyoti + maize JM 12 4:2 row, rice Kranti chickpea JG 322, rice Pro Agro 6444onion Pusa Redgreen gram Pusa Vishal, rice Pro Agro 6444mari- gold African Giantmaize JM 12 cob + fodder or rice Sugandha 5berseem JB 5 fodder + seed resulted in higher rice-equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns, production efficiency and benefit: cost ratio over pre-domi- nant systems of region.