Identification of suitable cultivars for organically grown maize (Zea mays) French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cropping system of Eastern Himalayas

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Umiam, Meghalaya, to assess the performance of different cultivars of maize (Zea mays L.) followed by no-till French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in cropping system mode under organic pro- duction system. During 2015, 2016 and 2017. The experiment was conducted with 10 cultivars of maize (8 com- posite cultivars and 2 local lines) followed by 10 cultivars of French bean (8 improved cultivars and 2 local variet- ies). Among all the maize cultivars evaluated over the years, maximum and minimum values of cob length, cob weight, green cob yield and kernel yield were noticed in variety RCM 1-61 and Local white respectively. Signifi- cantly higher chlorophyll index at 60 days after sowing (DAS) was recorded in RCM 1-61 followed by RCM 1-3 and minimum in RCM 1-1 followed by Hemant. Moreover, RCM 1-3 and RCM 1-2 varieties of maize recorded significantly higher crude protein content, whereas RCM 1-3 followed by Local Yellow recorded higher crude fi- bre against the other varieties of maize. The average highest yield of French bean in terms of green pod was re- corded in Naga local (8.91 t/ha) followed by RCM FB 18 (7.93 t/ha), RCM FB 19 (5.74 t/ha) and RCM FB 80 (5.73 t/ha). The maximum maize-equivalent yield (17.1 t/ha) and system productivity (6.3 t/ha) was observed for RCM 1-61 (maize cultivar)Naga local (French bean) followed by RCM 75 (maize)RCM FB 18 (French bean) sequence. The highest net returns (`2,24,059/ha) also recorded from the RCM 1-61 (maize cultivar)Naga local (French bean) cropping sequence. The soil organic carbon concentration was also enhanced after 3 years owing to adoption of maizeFrench bean cropping sequence and the highest value (21.8 g/kg) was recorded in RCM 1- 61 (maize cultivar)Naga local (French bean) sequence. The present study reveals the scope of successful culti- vation of French bean in no-till maize fallow under organic rainfed production system.