Production potential of pulse-and oilseed-based climate-resilient alternative cropping systems for diversification of rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) in North-western Indo-Gangetic Plains

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19 at the Punjab Agrcultural University, Ludhiana, India, to evaluate the economic feasibility of pulse-and oilseed-based new alternative cropping systems in comparison to rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. Among the 10 cropping systems evaluated in a randomized block design on a loamy sand soil, the highest rice-equivalent yield (23.2 t/ha) was obtained in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)–garden peas (Pisum sativum L.)–sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with highest sustainable- yield index (0.81), followed by groundnut –garden peas– spring maize (Zea mays L.) (22.5 t/ha) as significantly better than rest of the cropping systems. In comparison to conventional rice–wheat system, higher net returns as well as relative economic efficiency were recorded in 4 cropping systems, viz. groundnut–garden peas–sunflower, groundnut–garden peas–spring maize, rice–wheat–summer mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] and mungbean–toria [Brassica rapa subsp. dichotoma (Roxb.) Hanelt]–sunflower. Maximum apparent water productivity was observed in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]–chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)– summer mungbean, whereas the maximum nutrient-use productivity was observed in groundnut–garden peas– sunflower, followed by pigeonpea–chickpea–summer mungbean and the least values were recorded in rice–wheat system. Thus, resource-conserving biointensive cropping systems, viz. groundnut–garden peas–sunflower, groundnut–garden peas–spring maize, rice–wheat–summer mungbean and mungbean–toria–sunflower can be adopted for higher productivity, profitability and sustainability.