Productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) as influenced by tillage practices and green manuring under Eastern Uttar Pradesh conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 201617 and 201718 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to study the effect of different tillage practices and green manuring on productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays L.)wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design, consisting of 20 treatments. Four different tillage practices, viz. T , conventional tillage maize 1 conventional tillage wheat; T , minimum tillage maizeminimum tillage wheat; T , minimum tillage maize-zero till- 2 3 age wheat; and T , zero tillage maizezero tillage wheat, were assigned to main plot and 5 summer green-manur- 4 ing treatments, viz. M , summer fallowing; M , dhaincha [Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight)]; M , sunnhemp 1 2 3 (Crotalaria juncea L.); M , clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L) Taub.]; and M , cowpea [Vigna unguiculata 4 5 (L.) Walp.], were kept in subplots. The treatment T and T remaining at par with each other, registered higher 4 1 yield-attributing characters, grain and stover yields, quality and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio. In case of summer green manuring, M recorded higher yield-attributing characters, grain (5.59 t/ha) and stover (6.61 t/ha) yields, quality, 2 gross returns, net returns and B : C ratio over other treatments, but it was at par with M . Thus, ZT maize and sum- 3 mer green manure dhaincha residue mulching may be followed to achieve higher yield and profitability in Uttar Pradesh conditions.