Economic appraisal of rice (Oryza sativa) based cropping sequences in major soil series of upper Asom

Abstract

Monocropping of rice in Brahmaputra valley of Asom region has led to deterioration of soil quality, a serious threat to its sustainability. Therefore on farm field experiments were conducted during 2005 to 2007 at four different sites, viz siteI (Nogaon), siteII (Hatichungi), siteIII(Chowkhatbharalua) and siteIV (Baruabari) in dominant soil series of Jorhat
district of Assam to evaluate production potential, resource use efficiency and economics of four rice (Oryza sativa L.)
based cropping systems (1.rice-fallow, 2. rice–potato, 3. rice –pea and 4. rice-mustard) at two levels of management, i e
farmers practices (FP) and recommended package of practices (RPP). The cropping system productivity in terms of Rice Equivalent Yield (REY) of rice–potato cropping system (155.9 q/ha) in Aeric Fluvaquents with RPP was found economically significant followed by Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts(131.83 q/ha) and in Typic Endoaquepts, (109.6 q/ha), whereas rice– pea (102.2 q/ha) performed best and found economically viable in Typic Fluvaquents under flooded situation. Thus ricepotato system is productive, sustainable, resource-use efficient and remunerative cropping system followed by rice-pea and rice-mustard. Recommended package of practices performed better over farmers practice at all the sites for all cropping systems but specifically best results were recorded at Nogaon (Aeric Fluvaquents). Rice–potato cropping system gave highest gross returns in Aeric Fluvaquents (Rupees 103 097 ha) followed by Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts (Rupees 91 168 ha) and in Typic Endoaquepts with RPP (Rupees 72 975 ha) was found economically significant, whereas rice-pea gave highest gross return Rupees 95108/ha in Aeric Fluvaquents.