Productivity and profitability of potato (Solanum tuberosumL.)-based cropping systems in Central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Potato-based five cropping systems, viz. rice (Oryza sativa L.)-potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.)-potato-wheat, blackgram(Vigna mungo L. Hepper)-potato-greengram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), soybean (Glycine max L. Merril)-potato-cowpea (green pods) (Vigna sinensis L.) and cowpea (green pods)-potato-okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) were tested during 2010–11 to 2012–13 at Kanpur, India. The highest total productivity was obtained under cowpea-potato-okra cropping system (53.44 tha−1), while blackgram-potato-green gram system gave the highest potato equivalent yield (57.57 t ha−1) with maximum net return ( 231.42 ha−1) and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio (3.30). Traditional potato-based cropping system of the study area i.e., maize-potato-wheat produced only 25.26 t ha−1 total economic yield and earned lowest net return and B:C ratio. Thus, blackgram-potato-greengram cropping system proved to be most productive and profitable system for central plain zone of Uttar Pradesh.