Total System Productivity Research Articles

Management of maize-legume conservation agriculture systems rather than varietal choice fosters human nutrition in Malawi

Malawi smallholder farmers are facing climate-induced challenges that have increased food and nutrition insecurity in the country, thus sustainable intensification practices has been widely recommended. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of cropping systems with improved varieties on total system productivity and nutrition under different environments. The study involved on-farm experiments in ten communities in Central and Southern Malawi, incrementally established from 2005/2006 to 2018/2019 cropping seasons. Each community had six demonstration plots with three main treatments: conventional ploughing (CP): sole maize grown on seasonally constructed ridges and furrows; no-tillage (NT): sole maize grown on retained ridges with minimum soil disturbance and residue retained; and Conservation agriculture (CA): maize intercropped either cowpea, pigeon pea or groundnut on retained ridges as in NT. Our results show that total system nutrition was higher in CA treatments than NT and CP. The yields of maize were at least 800 kg ha−1 higher in CA and NT than CP despite the variety that was grown. Legume yields were also higher under CA and NT than CP. High protein yield was observed in CA systems (at least 100 kg ha−1 higher than CP) where maize and legume intercrops were rotated with grain legumes. Our results show nutrients and energy gains in CA and NT systems that can be invested in practices that increases the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change. Conservation agriculture and NT systems have more influence on productivity of smallholder farms, despite the genotypes used (hybrids or OPVs).

Performance of low-input agriculture with ZBNF-A case study on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system in Saurashtra region of Gujarat

Sustainable low-cost farming in (groundnut based) cropping system offers a much-needed alternative to conventional input-intensive agriculture. Keeping this in view a field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2022–23 at ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh, Gujarat on groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to evaluate the performance of low-input agriculture with ZBNF (Zero-budget natural farming) vis-avis others. Experiment was conducted in a split plot design having 3 different farming practices, viz. Natural farming (NF); Integrated crop management (ICM or conventional farming); and Organic farming (OF) practices in main plot using 2 cultivars ‘GJG-22’ (Virginia Bunch) and ‘TG 37A’ (Spanish Bunch) in large sub plot (~1/100th of a hectare), replicated 8-times. Further, these permanent plots of 3 farming practices were cultivated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (two cultivars, viz. ‘GW 451’ and ‘Lok 1’) in rotation during winter (rabi) season of 2022–23 following a residual exhaustive fodder crop of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] grown during spring/summer 2021– 22 prior to the experimentation. The study revealed that pod yield to the tune of 1,316–1,630 kg/ha was realized with low cost NF (or ZBNF) practice (higher yields with Spanish Bunch) vis-a-vis 1,448–1,779 kg/ha in OF practice. On the contrary, higher pod yield of 1,679–1,965 kg/ha was realized with the ICM practice employing improved production technologies. The growth/developmental parameters/values including economics and total system productivity were also higher under ICM practice. Furthermore, higher values in respect of all the groundnut plant attributes including economics and nutrient (NPK) uptake, and its efficiency (NPK uptake/100-kg pod) were evident under ICM practice. Similar crop responses were conspicuous in case of the succeeding wheat crop. Thus, overall crop response to farming practices were in the order: ICM>OF>NF; and the ratio of N, P, and K uptake for realization of higher per unit productivity (across farming practices and varieties) was observed to be 6.8:1.0:2.2 for groundnut and 3.9:1.0:3.3 for wheat. Thus, ICM practice comprising of judicious use of chemical fertilizers, manure and pesticides use was advantageous for realizing higher yield and return in groundnut-wheat. Further efforts are made to realize higher productivity of ecofriendly farming practices (ZBNF and OF).

Intercropping of Pulses and Oilseeds with Sisal (Agave sisalana) in North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif, Rabi, 2020 and 2021 under AINP on Jute and Allied Fibres at Agricultural Research Station farm, Amadalavalasa – ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was conducted to study the suitability and economic feasibility of short duration pulses and oilseeds as intercrops in between paired row spaces of sisal plantation. Results revealed that, short duration pulses are more feasible than oilseeds as intercrops with increased productivity per unit area. Sisal fibre yield and intercrops yield was higher with pulse intercropping than oilseeds. Sisal fibre equivalent yield of intercrops varied between 1.87 q ha-1 in case of sisal + mustard to 5.28 q ha-1 in sisal + cowpea. The net returns per rupee invested was highest in sisal + cowpea (3.42) followed by sisal + greengram (3.34), sisal + rajma (3.05) and lowest among pulses was sisal + blackgram (2.83). While, among oilseeds, highest was in sisal + niger (2.90) followed by sisal + mustard (2.80) and sisal + sesame (2.65) compared to lowest in sole sisal (2.49). However, the total system productivity in terms of sisal fibre equivalent yield of cropping system varied between 14.05 q ha-1 in case of sole sisal to 21.64 q ha-1 in sisal + cowpea. The results inferred that, growing of short duration pulses in between paired row spaces of sisal could be efficiently used by growing short duration pulses like cowpea, greengram, rajma and blackgram for increased cropping system under sisal plantation.

Measuring the performance of health systems in Latin America

Abstract Background Efficiency has been identified as a key intermediate policy objective for Universal Health Coverage. Despite that, it was estimated that 20 to 40% of health sector resource utilization is wasteful globally. An efficient use of existing resources in healthcare is critical and a priority policy in sustaining positive health outcomes for the population. This study aimed to perform a longitudinal efficiency analysis was found concerning health systems specific to all the Latin America region over the last 13 years. Methods Health Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE), Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus (DPT)Immunization and Survivability Rate of under-5 were chosen as outputs, while Pooled Health Expenditure, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita and Population over 65 were selected as inputs. Cross sectional Data Envelopment Analysis using five-year averages and a longitudinal Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) were performed creating several model iterations with our selected indicators. All the models had an output orientation, adjusted for variable returns to scale and incorporating a five-year time lag between inputs and outputs. Results Our cross-sectional DEA Analysis found that the best performing country ended up being Nicaragua, followed by Cuba, Honduras, Costa Rica and Chile, while the countries performing the worst were Suriname, Venezuela and Guatemala. When observing efficiency scores behaviors longitudinally, all our model iterations result in the region decreasing efficiency in their health systems by 2.5% to 6.9% from 2000 to 2013, depending on the model chosen. Conclusions The study reveals that all countries in Latin American can improve their health systems efficiency performance to different extents. Latin America reduced total health system productivity between 2000 and 2013. Further studies are required to uncover the extent and causes of this regression. A similar analysis in Europe may be warranted and could aid policy making. Key messages • Overall efficiency in Latin American health systems has decreased by 3% to 7% over the last thirteen years. • Nicaragua, Cuba, Honduras and Costa Rica seem to have the most efficient health systems in the region, whereas Venezuela and Guatemala are the least efficient.

Techno-economic analysis of a solar-powered humidification-dehumidification desalination system under fogging effect

Different techniques are utilized to overcome the problem of freshwater shortage around the world. Humidification-dehumidification technology is among the promising methods, especially when powered by cost-effective solar energy sources or when used in remote desert areas with abundant solar resources. In this study, a solar energy-powered humidification-dehumidification system is assembled and tested. Two solar energy systems are supplying the humidification-dehumidification system with heat and electricity, namely an evacuated tube solar collector and an array of photovoltaic panels, respectively. The studied system utilizes three fogging nozzles, each with a 10-µm diameter, that allow efficient energy conversion. Also, the system was tested under the influence of a single nozzle with a larger diameter for comparison purposes. The fogging technique reduced the power consumption while boosting the total system productivity. The system was able to achieve a maximum gained output ratio of 4.4 at saline water and air temperatures of 80 and 53.44 °C, respectively. The rate of freshwater production ranged between 1.7 and 3.85 L/h. At the highest tested saline water to air ratio, the system with three 10-µm nozzles enhanced the gained output ratio by 23.68 and 67.33 %, compared to the single nozzle configuration with 20 and 30-µm diameter, respectively. An economic evaluation showed a best-averaged price of 0.0543 USD/L of freshwater.

Total reward system, job satisfaction and employee productivity on company financial performance: evidence from Indonesian Generation Z workers

Purpose The study of monetary and non-monetary rewards from the human resource management (HRM) perspective has rarely been analyzed so far. There has been extensive study on HRM, yet only a few studies explicitly discuss the correlation between the adoption of a total reward system (TRS) and employee-related outcomes. This paper aims to analyze this important issue to provide inputs for organizations to design compensation strategies that will impact on company’s financial performance with employee productivity and job satisfaction as mediating variables specifically for Generation Z. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted on 40 companies operating in the service sector in Indonesia. The authors captured the overall TRS result on three outcome variables (i.e. job satisfaction, employee productivity and financial performance). Furthermore, the authors examine the impact of TRS (base pay, training and development and positive work environment) on Generation Z workers. Structural equation modeling analysis was conducted on 40 Indonesian, service industry, listed firms with an average of 6 representatives per firm. Findings The results validate that the adoption of a TRS exerts a positive influence on the aforementioned outcomes. However, the interesting fact about the finding is that Generation Z cannot be easily satisfied with only monetary incentives; their preference has shifted from monetary concerns to self-capability. Practical implications The empirical result suggests that TRS serves as a tool in encouraging employees and boosting productivity. Accordingly, firms should incorporate TRS practices to enhance job satisfaction and productivity, as well as sustain the relationship with stakeholders. Subsequently, management should also be concerned with maintaining good employee productivity to improve a company’s financial performance by supervising and monitoring company operations, as well as ensuring the fulfillment of the stakeholder’s interests. Originality/value This paper provides original insights into the complex relationship between TRS and the aforementioned outcomes, such as job satisfaction, employee productivity and financial performance.

System Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency of Alternative Cropping Systems for Sugarcane in Karnataka

The field experiments were conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Hukkeri, Belagavi, Karnataka, India during 2018–19 and 2019–20 to study the system productivity and resource use efficiency of alternative cropping systems for sugarcane. There were 11 treatments involving different cropping systems viz., soybean–sorghum–ridge gourd, pigeon pea±green gram (1:1)–beans, pigeon pea±soybean (1:1)–cowpea, soybean–wheat–groundnut, groundnut–sorghum–sesame, maize–cabbage–fallow, soybean–wheat–green gram, maize–wheat–sesame, Bt cotton–groundnut, sugarcane±onion (1:2) and sugarcane (sole) replicated thrice and laid out in randomized complete block design. Among the cropping systems, maize-cabbage-fallow system recorded significantly higher total system productivity (58,234 kg ha-1), water use efficiency (199.67 kg ha-1-mm) and energy use efficiency (129.91 MJ ha-1) compared to rest of the cropping systems. However, sugarcane (sole) recorded (1,11,008 kg ha-1, 68.64 kg ha-1-mm and 16.58 MJ ha-1, respectively). Based on alternative cropping systems involving only field crops, maize-wheat-sesame (9633 kg ha-1, 30.65 kg ha-1-mm and 132.20 MJ ha-1, respectively), soybean-wheat-groundnut (7602 kg ha-1, 27.40 kg ha-1-mm and 32.35 MJ ha-1,, respectively), soybean-wheat-green gram (6424 kg ha-1, 23.05 kg ha-1-mm and 31.91 MJ ha-1, respectively) and Bt cotton-groundnut (4503 kg ha-1, 17.97 kg ha-1-mm and 16.95 MJ ha-1, respectively) were significantly higher. By adopting the alternative cropping systems, there was water saving of approximately 45% compared to sugarcane monocropping and sugarcane±onion (1:2) intercropping.

Intensifying cropping systems through doubled-up legumes in Eastern Zambia

Declining soil fertility and negative impacts of climate effects threaten the food security of millions in Africa. Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a promising strategy to address these challenges. However, lack of viable economic entry points and short-term benefits for smallholders limit its adoption. Legume intensification can possibly increase the output per unit area, thus making the system more attractive. Rotations of maize with intensified legume systems were tested for three consecutive years under ridge and furrow (RF) tillage and CA to investigate: (a) increases in productivity of legumes and the subsequent maize crop; (b) changes in land equivalent ratios (LERs) and; (c) improved total system productivity. Results showed an increase in legume yields when growing two legumes simultaneously, leading to greater LERs (ranging between 1.13 and 1.29). However, there was only a significant season and not a main treatment effect as CA did not outperform RF in both phases of the rotation. Full populations of companion legumes improved overall system productivity, yielding 76.8 GJ ha−1 in a more conducive season while sole cropping of pigeonpea yielded only 4.4 GJ ha−1. We conclude that the doubled-up legumes systems have great potential to improve household food security when integrated into current smallholder farming.

Contour Farming Improves Soil Moisture and Dry Land Crop Productivity on Rainfed Alfisols

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2019 on Alfisols to find out the impact of intercropping and contour farming on total system productivity and soil moisture, under rainfed conditions. The results revealed that intercropping of mung bean with pigeon pea (MB+PP 4:1) was found to be highly productive and economical than corn+ pigeon pea (C+PP 4:1). Further, contour farming (CF) gave higher corn equivalent yield (CEY) and conserved more moisture than up down farming (UDF). The combination of MB+PP and CF has significantly out yielded (8019 kg ha-1) the MB+PP under UDF (6612 kg ha-1), C+PP under CF (4026 kg ha-1) and C+PP under UDF (3393 kg ha-1) in terms of CEY. Further, MB+PP and CF association recorded higher soil moisture, nutrient uptake, partial factor productivity (PPFN: 253.4 kg kg-1), agronomic efficiency of applied N (AEN: 46.79 kg kg-1) and rainfall use efficiency (RUE: 12.2 kg ha mm-1) besides higher net returns (Rs. 82608 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.41).

Agricultural labor, COVID-19, and potential implications for food security and air quality in the breadbasket of India

To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, India imposed a national lockdown at the end of March 2020, a decision that resulted in a massive reverse migration as many workers across economic sectors returned to their home regions. Migrants provide the foundations of the agricultural workforce in the ‘breadbasket’ states of Punjab and Haryana in Northwest India.There are mounting concerns that near and potentially longer-term reductions in labor availability may jeopardize agricultural production and consequently national food security. The timing of rice transplanting at the beginning of the summer monsoon season has a cascading influence on productivity of the entire rice-wheat cropping system. To assess the potential for COVID-related reductions in the agriculture workforce to disrupt production of the dominant rice-wheat cropping pattern in these states, we use a spatial ex ante modelling framework to evaluate four scenarios representing a range of plausible labor constraints on the timing of rice transplanting. Averaged over both states, results suggest that rice productivity losses under all delay scenarios would be low as compare to those for wheat, with total system productivity loss estimates ranging from 9%, to 21%, equivalent to economic losses of USD $674 m to $1.48 billion. Late rice transplanting and harvesting can also aggravate winter air pollution with concomitant health risks. Technological options such as direct seeded rice, staggered nursery transplanting, and crop diversification away from rice can help address these challenges but require new approaches to policy and incentives for change.

Productivity improvement of low lying area with litchi (Litchi chinensis) based integrated system

The present study was carried out at ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur during 2014-2017 for sustained productivity, profitability, employment generation and soil health. Four different models comprised of rain water harvesting, fish culture, and intercropping of annual and vegetable crops with litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) + banana and litchi+papaya in different combinations on pond dykes. Rain water accumulated in the ponds during rainy season with the storage capacity (7.29 million litre water) varied from of 1.62-2.16 million litre of water per pond. Among different models, model 1 recorded the highest total system productivity in terms of LEY (25.49 t/ ha), production efficiency (140.67 kg/ha/day), net return (₹ 159950/ha) and system economic efficiency (438.23 ₹/ ha/day). Sustainable value index (SVI) among the models varied due to different component and expressed 2 to 3 time’s higher value than existing system. Model 1 recorded highest SVI (0.78) and existing model (0.25) recorded lowest. Relative production and economic efficiency of the different models were also computed over the crop based existing system and value ranged from 521.72 and 67.64 in model 4 to 529.38 and 116.15 in model 1, respectively. Integration of fish, fruits, vegetable and crop component in the system showed greater employment opportunity and it was almost double than the crop based existing system. The highest employment generation was observed in model 1 (331 man-days/ha/year) as compared to existing system (150 man-days/ha/year). Marked improvement in soil health status (pH, EC, soil organic carbon and NPK) was observed as compared to initial soil status after three years of study.

Tillage and residue-management effects on productivity, profitability and soil properties in a rice-maize-mungbean system in the Eastern Gangetic Plains

ABSTRACTFarmers’ conventional tillage (CT) and residue removal practices in rice (Oryza sativa L.)-maize (Zea mays L.) systems in South Asia’s Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) are input-intensive, costly, and soil degradative. We conducted a rice-maize-mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) (R-M-MB) system experiment with six tillage and three residue-management treatments in Bangladesh, representing the EGP. Maize yields were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher under permanent (PB) and fresh (FB) beds under strip tillage (ST) than under CT, but there were no differences in mungbean yield. Rice yields under PB, FB, and CT were similar but significantly higher than those under zero or minimum tillage and ST. Yields of all crops increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with residue retention compared with no residue retention. Total system productivity was highest under PB, followed by FB and ST. Compared with CT, gross margins under PB, FB, and ST increased, respectively, by 18%, 13% and 11%, and soil organic matter (SOM) and total soil N content across tillage treatments increased by 11–16% and 12–24%, respectively. After 3 years, SOM, total N, and available P and S contents increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) under residue retention. Results demonstrate the potential of PB, FB, and ST with residue retention in improving the productivity, profitability and soil health in the R-M-MB system of Bangladesh and on similar soils and climates in the EGP.

An NSGA-II-based multiobjective approach for real-time routing selection in a flexible manufacturing system under uncertainty and reliability constraints

Routing flexibility is one of the most common types of flexibilities of manufacturing systems. It allows the system to continue producing given part types despite uncertainties. Its main purpose is to maintain a high level of performance so that the system can deal with disturbances (failures, maintenance actions,…). This type of flexibility occurs when there are alternative or redundant machine tools in the system. However, due to resource and alternative routing limitations, the scheduling problems in such systems can become very complex. Furthermore, though routing flexibility aims to enhance system responsiveness, it still depends on the reliability and availability of machines and individual components in a system. The present paper aims to investigate the scheduling problem in a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) with routing flexibility under uncertainties related to the random arrival of parts orders and machines failures, by considering reliability and maintenance constraints. The real-time decisions for part routing selection are made using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), by considering the workload, utilization level, and reliability of machines in a workstation, in order to minimize the deadlocks and maximize the overall system reliability. The simulation results obtained showed that, for an overloaded system, the proposed NSGA-II algorithm induces the best performance in terms of total profit, system productivity, and machines utilization.

Effect of Bioslurry on the Yield of Wheat and Rice in the Wheat–Rice Cropping System

The study was conducted to assess the integrated use of chemical fertilizers with organic manure in the wheat–rice cropping systems in Bangladesh. The experiment involved a sole chemical fertilizer treatment, four treatments based on the integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS) with 5 t ha−1 cowdung (CD) and cowdung bioslurry, 3 t ha−1 poultry manure (PM) and poultry manure bioslurry and a control. The wheat crop received manures and/or bioslurries, and its residual effect was evaluated for succeeding T. Aman crop. Poultry manure bioslurry, poultry manure, cowdung bioslurry, and cowdung gave 11.7, 8.9, 5.4, and 3.1% respective increase in total system productivity over sole chemical fertilizer (46% N, as urea, 20% P as triple superphosphate, 50% K as muriate of potash and 18% S as gypsum). Bioslurries supplied greater amount of nutrients compared to their respective original state of soil which influenced nutrient uptake of the test crop. Cowdung bioslurry is recommended as a substitute of 24–32% N, 52–91% P, 18–24% K and 50–73% S and that for poultry manure bioslurry of 19–21% N, 87–94% P, 12–14% K and 49–61% S of the recommended nutrient rate. The plant analysis showed that total N, P, K, and S contents improved significantly by integrated use of CD and PM bioslurry with IPNS based chemical fertilizers. Total system productivity (TSP) was significantly influenced by different treatments which ranged from 3.43 to 7.88 t ha−1 in 2011 and 3.66 to 7.82 t ha−1 in 2012.

High-resolution trade-off analysis and optimization of ecosystem services and disservices in agricultural landscapes

Agricultural land management often involves trade-offs between ecosystem services (ES) and disservices (EDS). Balancing these trade-offs to achieve low-impact production of agricultural commodities requires rigorous approaches for quantifying and optimizing ES and EDS, reconciling biophysical constraints and different management objectives. In this study, we demonstrate a high-resolution spatially-explicit analysis of ES and EDS trade-offs for irrigated corn production systems in the South Platte River Basin, Colorado, USA, as a case study. The analysis integrated a biogeochemical model (DayCent) with optimization algorithms to assess trade-offs between multiple ES and EDS indicators, including net primary production, soil organic carbon, water use, nitrogen leaching, and greenhouse gas emissions. Our results show a large fraction of total potential system productivity (up to 21 Mg ha−1 year−1) can be realized at minimal ecosystem impacts through careful land management decisions. Our analysis also explores how different land management objectives imply different landscape configurations.

Assessing productivity and profitability of a rejuvenated ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) based agri-horti system under arid rainfed conditions

A field experiment was carried out at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan from 2011-15 to make senile orchard (33 years old) remunerative again. Trees were headed back from ground level in summer. Out of the numerous shoots emerged, 1-2 shoots were budded with early, mid and late season’s cultivar. In subsequent years, inter-cropping was carried out in the ber (Ziziphus maurtitiajna Lam.) alleys with greengram (Vigna radiata L.), pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) and senna (Cassia angustifolia) at two alleys spacing, i.e. 6 m and 12 m (plant to plant spacing in both the alleys was 6 m) tested over three ber varieties, viz. Gola, Seb and Umran in split-plot design replicated thrice. The rejuvenated trees attained profitable yield level within three years of rejuvenation. Gola ber recorded highest productivity (57.3 q/ha) followed by Seb and Umran. Amongst intercrops, the productivity of greengram as ber equivalent yield was 1.7 and 4.2 times higher over pearl millet and senna, respectively. Although, wider spacing increased the productivity of intercrops by 24%. But, the total system productivity in wider ber alleys was 50.47% less during first year followed by 30.3, 34.6 and 40% during subsequent years, respectively, compared to 6 m × 6 m spacing. The profitability was also higher under 6 m × 6 m spacing. The ber + greengram system gavehighest net returns (84.79 ×103 Rupees/ha) over other. This agri-horti system also maintained the initial soil fertility status even after four crop cycles. Hence, the appropriate strategy should be to introduce intercrops preferably green gram at a recommended spacing (6 m × 6 m) of ber variety Gola for highest system productivity and profitability.

Cropping system intensification: vegetable pea can replace fallow between rainfed monsoon rice and irrigated spring rice

SUMMARYThe Eastern Gangetic Plain is among the world's most intensively farmed regions, where rainfed and irrigated agriculture coexist. While the region and especially Bangladesh is a major producer of rice (Oryza sativaL. ssp.indica), there is potential to further develop sustainable rice production systems. Specifically, there is scope to include a replacement crop for the short fallow between rice crops in the dominant cropping pattern of rainfed monsoon rice harvest followed by irrigated spring rice. The aim of the current research was to identify a suitable cool-season legume crop – pea (Pisum sativumL.) or lentil (Lens culinarisMedik. ssp.culinaris) – that could be grown in the brief period between rice crops. The study comprised four crop sequence experiments comparing legume cultivars differing in maturity grown in between both long and short duration rice cultivars. These experiments were done at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute regional station at Rajshahi over three cropping cycles. This was followed by an evaluation of pea vs. fallow between rice crops on three farmers’ fields in one cropping cycle. Here it is demonstrated that green pod vegetable pea is one of the best options to intensify the rainfed monsoon rice–fallow–spring irrigated rice cropping system, notwithstanding other remunerative rabi cropping options that could displace boro rice. The inclusion of an extra crop, pea as green pod vegetable, increased farm productivity by 1·4-fold over the dominant cropping sequence (rice–fallow–rice) and farm net income by fourfold. The study highlighted the advantages in total system productivity and monetary return of crop intensification with the inclusion of a pea crop between successive rice crops instead of a fallow period.

Intensifying a semi-arid dryland crop rotation by replacing fallow with pea

Increasing dryland cropping system intensity in the semi-arid central Great Plains by reducing frequency of fallow can add diversity to cropping systems and decrease erosion potential. However elimination of the periodic fallow phase has been shown to reduce yields of subsequent crops in this region. The objective of this experiment was to determine how productivity of a 4-yr WCMF rotation [wheat (W, Triticum aestivum L.); corn (C, Zea mays L.); proso millet (M, Panicum miliaceum L.); fallow (F)] was affected when the fallow phase was replaced with pea (P, Pisum sativum L.). The effect of this intensification of the WCMF rotation on the available soil water content at planting, the water use, and the yield of each crop, and on total system productivity and net income was quantified by analyzing data over a 20-yr period from a long-term crop rotation experiment at Akron, CO. Large year-to-year variations were found for available soil water at planting, water use, and yield for all four crops. Pea water use resulted in significant reductions in available soil water at planting, water use, and yield for wheat and corn, but had little effect on those quantities in the millet crop. Total production on a seed mass basis was not different between the WCMF and WCMP rotations, but system net income for the WCMP rotation was 32% lower than for WCMF. Intensification of the WCMF rotation by replacing the fallow phase with pea production could be recommended as an alternative production method if pea seed costs and nitrogen fertilizer applied to the subsequent wheat crop can be reduced.

Yield maximization through resource conservation technologies under maize-chickpea cropping system in vertisols of Tunga Bhadra Command Project Area of Karnataka

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of tillage, crop residue and fertilizer management on maize-chickpea cropping system from 2007–08 to 2013–14 at Agricultural Research Station, Siruguppa, Karnataka, India. The experiment was conducted in deep black soil with split-split plot design and treatments were replicated thrice. The experiment included 24 treatment combinations of four tillage practices viz., Conventional tillage (M1), Reduced tillage (M2), Zero tillage (M3) and Bed planting (M4) were assigned to main plots, three crop residue managements viz., Burning (S1), Retention (S2) and Retrieval (S3) were to sub-plots and three fertilizer managements viz., T1: Recommended N, P2O5K2O (150: 75: 37.5 kg/ha for maize and 25: 50: 00 kg/ha for chickpea), T2: T1+25% RDN and T3: T2+micronutrients (S-50 kg/ha and ZnSO4-20 kg/ha) for sub-sub plots. The hybrid maize (NK 6240) was sown in the first fortnight of July and after harvest of the maize crop, chickpea (JG 11) was sown during the fourth week of November or first week of December in each year. The pooled yield of maize and chickpea over six years was significantly influenced by tillage and fertilizer management practices. Among the different practices, the higher maize and chickpea grain yield of 6434 and 1236 kg/ha was recorded in bed planting in tillage practices and 6388 and 1192 kg/ha in 100% RDF+25% RDN+S+ZnSO4 application in fertilizer management practices, respectively, when compared to other management practices. Similarly, the significantly higher pooled total maize equivalent yield (TMEY, 8887 kg/ha) and system productivity (24.4 kg/ha/day) were recorded with bed planting compared to other tillage practices and it was at par with conventional tillage. Retrieval method of residue management practice recorded significantly superior TMEY (8590 kg/ha) and system productivity (23.5 kg/ha/day) compared to retention of residue on land. Application of 100% RDF+25% RDN+S+ZnSO4 produced significantly higher TMEY (8779 kg/ha) and system productivity (24.1 kg/ha/day) as compared to application of 100% RDF. Similar trend in N and K uptake by the system was noticed in bed planting (178 and 144 kg/ha/year), retrieval (173 and 141 kg/ha/year) and application of 100% RDF+25% RDN+S+ZnSO4 (177 and 145 kg/ha/year).

Weed management in sugarcane-canola intercropping systems in northern India

Intercropping has the potential to increase total system productivity, monetary returns, and resource utilization in long duration crops such as sugarcane. The suitability of canola (oilseed rape & Indian mustard) for intercropping in autumn planted sugarcane and the efficacy of herbicides for weed control in these intercropping systems was investigated over two years. Three cropping systems (sole sugarcane, sugarcane–oilseed rape and sugarcane-Indian mustard) and six weed control treatments were investigated. Sugarcane–oilseed rape and sugarcane-Indian mustard intercropping systems produced cane yield (73.6–88.6tha−1) similar to sole sugarcane (78.4–85.3tha−1). When grown as intercrops with sugarcane, oilseed rape produced seed yield of 1.47–1.59tha−1 while Indian mustard produced 2.51–2.95tha−1. Sugarcane–oilseed rape and sugarcane-Indian mustard systems increased the net returns by 1.3 and 1.7-fold as compared to sole sugarcane (USD 1674ha−1). Indian mustard exhibited higher weed suppression than oilseed rape and sole sugarcane, which may be associated with greater production of secondary branches and planting arrangement of Indian mustard (2-rows) as compared to oilseed rape (1-row). Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin at 0.75kg and alachlor at 1.875kgha−1 provided adequate control of weeds in these intercropping systems and increased the seed yield of oilseed rape and Indian mustard relative to the weedy check by an average of 41% and 15%, respectively. The use of these pre-emergence herbicides increased the net returns by USD 286–317ha−1 as compared to the weedy check.