Productivity and economics of rice (Oryza sativa) based crop sequences under stored water supply in Kymore plateau of Madhya Pradesh R.K. TIWARI, R.P. PANDEY, K.N. NAMDEO , A.K. PATE

A field experiment was conducted during 1993 2000 and 2000 2001 ni a silty clay loam soil, to identify suitable rice (Oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems with high productivity under stored water supply in Kymore plateau of Madhya Pradesh. Rice, as a base crop, was sequenced with other feasible winter crops, viz. wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori Paol.), pea (Pisum sativum L.) for green pods, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. nom. cons.). Green pods of pea taken after rice with 4 irrigations gave the highest rice equivalent yield (84.99 qlha) and net return (Rs 42,900lha). The second best sequence was tomato after rice (89.63 q/ ha and Rs 38,200lha) followed by potato after rice (67.52 qlha and Rs 28,4701 ha). Wheat after rice gave the lowest rice equivalent yield (46.92 qlha) and net return (Rs 18,9401ha) with 4 irrigations. Irrigation efficiency and water use efficiency were higher in potato and tomato grown after rice. Rice yield up to 28 qlha and net return up to RS 9,OOOlha were common in all the sequences. Rice pea sequence recorded lower land use efficiency and higher production efficiency, while the reverse was true in case of rice wheat sequence.