Yield and economics of Integrated nutrient management in rice (Oryza sativa)- zero tillage finger millet (Eleusine coracana) cropping system

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 2017–18 and 2018–19 on sandy loam soil of the Agricultural College, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, to evaluate the economics of the rice (Oryza sativa L.)–zero tillage finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design and replicated thrice during rainy season rice, and in winter each rainy season treatment was subdivided into 4 subtreatments and hence, split-plot design was adopted in winter season. The highest grain yield (5,343, 5,465 and 5,404 kg/ha) was recorded with 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + FYM @ 10 t/ha + ZnSO4 @ 50 kg/ha in rice, while in winter season, 100% RDF resulted in the maximum grain yield (1,935, 2,038 and 1,986 kg/ha) of finger millet (ragi) in both the years. The maximum gross returns (`100,010) net returns (`54,947) and returns/rupee invested (1.24) were recorded with the application of 50 RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha+ ZnSO4 @ 50 kg/ha. In zero tillage finger millet, the maximum gross returns (`52,172) was recorded with 50% RDF + FYM @ 10 t/ha + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg/ha. The highest net returns (`28,539) and returns per rupee invested (1.28) were recorded with the application of 50% RDF + poultry manure @ 1.6 t/ha + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg/ha to rainy season rice. Among the different fertilizer levels, the highest gross returns (`56,072), net returns (`32,157) and returns per rupee invested (1.34) were recorded with 100% RDF treatment in finger millet in both the years and in pooled data.