Effect of organic mulches and vermicompost on productivity, profitability and energetic of mustard (Brassica campestris) in popcorn (Zea mays everta)- mustard cropping system in rainfed Sikkim Himalaya

Abstract

A three year fixed plot field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2011 to 2014 at Research Farm of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre to study the effect of organic mulches and vermicompost on productivity, profitability and energetics of mustard under popcorn (Zea mays everta)-mustard (Brassica campestris) cropping system. The results revealed that crop residue and/or forest litter mulching exhibited significant effect on yield attributes, yields, economics and energetics of mustard. Among the mulches, application of tree leaf mulch (TLM) @ 5 t/ha recorded the significantly higher seed yield (1.05 t/ha), net returns (19.86×103 `rs./ha) and net rupees per rupees invested (NRPRI) (1.87) over other mulching materials including control. Systematic energy analysis also showed that the maximum values of gross energy output (59.69 GJ/ha) and net energy output (52.85 GJ/ha) was recorded with TLM @ 5 t/ha, whereas energy productivity (0.54 kg/MJ) was higher with rice residue mulch (RRM) @ 5 t/ha followed by maize residue mulch (MRM) @ 5 t/ha. Among the different levels of vermicompost (VC), application of VC @ 1.5 t/ha recorded the highest seed yield (1.05 t/ha) and net return (15.38 × 103 rs./ha) followed by VC @ 1.0 t/ha and control (no vermicompost). However, NRPRI was higher with VC @ 1.0 t/ha (1.62) followed by VC @ 1.5 t/ha. With regards to the energy budgeting, among the various levels of VC, application of VC @ 1.5 t/ha recorded 2.1% and 18.9% higher energy use efficiency (EUE) over VC @ 1.0 t/ha and control, respectively.