Performance of cotton as a relay crop in banana cropping system: a way to sustainable crop diversification in the Cauvery Delta region, Tamil Nadu, India

Dhanushkodi V; Kalaivanan D; Anitha R; Sangeetha A; Karunakaran V.; Parameswari K; Periyar Ramasamy D

doi:10.56093/ijas.v96i8.159385

Authors

Dhanushkodi V TNAU
Kalaivanan D ICAR-IIHR
Anitha R TNAU
Sangeetha A TNAU
Karunakaran V. TNAU
Parameswari K TNAU
Periyar Ramasamy D TNAU

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v96i8.159385

Keywords:

Banana-cotton intercropping, System productivity, Land use efficiency, Farm income, Sustainable agriculture, Wetland agriculture

Abstract

An investigation was carried out in 2020–21 and 2021–22 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sirugamani at Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu to assess the effectiveness of relay cropping of cotton under banana cropping systems in improving crop productivity and farmers’ income. Banana suckers were planted at 1.8 m x 1.8 m spacing, followed by cotton planting at 0.90 m x 0.45 m (two-row system) and 0.60 m x 0.45 m (four-row system). After the banana harvest, cotton was planted as a control. Compared to the banana yield obtained from the relay cropping system, a higher yield was obtained from banana sole crops (385.1 q/ha), followed by the banana with cotton in two-row systems with fertilizer applications (381.7 q/ha). Among the cotton crops, those grown as sole crop and in a two-row system with the fertilizer application yielded more, at 18.57 q/ha and 17.8 q/ha, respectively. Similarly, the net benefits from a relay cropping system were Rs.12,61,838/ha as against banana planted solely (Rs.11,77,800/ha). The banana-cotton relay system without fertilizer showed the highest benefit-cost ratio (5.01). Cotton grown in two-row and four-row systems with fertilizer application achieved a greater land equivalent ratio of 1.95 and 1.90, respectively compared to the sole crop. Further, the two-row and four-row systems with and without fertilizer application showed higher land use efficiencies (126.9% and 126.0%, respectively) compared to the sole crop. Production efficiency of 87.17% was recorded for the banana-cotton system with four-row and no fertilizer application, followed by two-row systems with fertilizer application (86.68%). The results indicated that banana and cotton yield losses of 1.06–2.12% and 4.76–15.85%, respectively compared to sole crops. Despite these losses, the cropping system-maintained profitability with a land equivalent ratio of more than 1.0. According to the study, cotton as a relay crop produced the highest economic returns using available land and nutrient resources. Therefore, the banana-cotton relay cropping system is recommended for wetland conditions to enhance both banana and cotton productivity.

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Author Biographies

Dhanushkodi V, TNAU

Soil science and Agricultural Chemistry
Kalaivanan D, ICAR-IIHR

Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
Anitha R, TNAU

Crop physiology
Sangeetha A, TNAU

Plant Pathology
Karunakaran V. , TNAU

Agronomy
Parameswari K, TNAU

Seed Science and Technology
Periyar Ramasamy D, TNAU

Agricultural Extension

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