Response of mechanization levels and in-situ rainwater-conservation practices, their dynamics on production potential of soybean [Glycine max] under rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on medium black soils at All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Parbhani, Maharashtra, during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2016 to 2018, to evaluate the effect of mechanization practices coupled with different in-situ rainwater-conservation practices on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The treatments comprising complete mechanization, partial mechanization and traditional methods of cultivation (flatbed) were evaluated for rainfed ‘MAUS 162’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] along with subplot treatments of broad bed and furrow (BBF), ridges and furrow and flatbed. Complete mechanization in soybean resulted in higher seed yield, gross monetary returns, net monetary returns, benefit: cost ratio and rainwater-use efficiency. In-situ moisture-conservation practices such as BBF and ridges and furrow method of sowing recorded the highest seed yield (25.23 and 15.71% increase), net monetary returns (51.95%, 30.7%) and rainwater -use efficiency (25% and 15%) as compared to traditional method of cultivation. Complete mechanization along with BBF method of sowing in soybean proved be significantly superior to all treatment combinations with respect to seed yield, net monetary returns and rainwater-use efficiency. The highest energy output-input ratio (10.2) was observed in complete mechanization with BBF method of sowing.