Alternate options to rice (Oryza sativa)—wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system for partially reclaimed sodic soils of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2003-04 to 2005-06 at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Lucknow to find alternate options to the rice—wheat cropping system in partially reclaimed sodic soils. Four cropping systems, viz. rice—wheat (cereal-based), sorghum—berseem (fodder-based), sweet basil (tulsi)—matricaria (medicinal and aromatic crop-based) and chilli—garlic (spices-based) were evaluated in the light of sustainability, potentiality and profitability. Maximum rice equivalent yield (14.21 t ha⁻¹) was recorded with sweet basil-matricaria cropping system, whereas the highest production efficiency (61.25 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) was recorded with sweet basil—matricaria cropping system. Sorghum—berseem cropping system gave maximum (78.35%) land-use efficiency. Chilli—garlic cropping system recorded the highest water expense efficiency (150.72 kg ha⁻¹ cm) followed by sweet basil—matricaria, but the total amount of water used was more (125.65 cm) in the rice—wheat system. The water requirement of sorghum—berseem, sweet basil— matricaria and chilli—garlic cropping systems was 8.0, 19.8 and 31.8% respectively, less than the rice—wheat cropping system. Among the cropping systems evaluated, energy input (27.50 MJ ha⁻¹) and output (314.46 MJ ha⁻¹) were maximum in the rice—wheat system. Energy use efficiency was maximum (11.99) with sweet basil—matricaria followed by sorghum–berseem (11.91). Reclaiming effect of sweet basil— matricaria cropping system on soil properties was higher than the rest of the cropping systems. Sweet basil—matricaria cropping system gave the highest net return (Rs 50,222 ha⁻¹) and benefit: cost ratio (2.74).