Productivity and economics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) and pearlmillet (Pennisetumtyphoides)-wheat cropping sequences under different plant geometry and irrigation options in cotton under semi-arid India

Abstract

An on farm study was conducted during summer season of 2004-5 and 2005-6 on cotton in semi arid region of Agra with three levels of supplementary irrigation (I : irrigation at 21 DAS; I : irrigation at 42 DAS and I : I + I ) and plant geometry 1 2 3 1 2 (S : 60 x 30; S : 60 x 45 and S : 60 x 60 cm) in split plot design in cotton-wheat 1 2 3 cropping sequence. Residual effect of irrigation and plant density in cotton was evaluated on succeeding wheat. The yield performance of cotton-wheat system was compared with pearl millet-wheat raised on nearby farmer's fields in terms of pearl millet equivalent. Results showed that I recorded significantly higher mean 1 seed cotton yield (1546 kg ha-1), total biomass yield (3791 kg ha-1), net return (Rs 32265 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.87) than I and I in cotton-wheat system. 2 3 Although, I recorded significantly higher mean cotton stalk yield (2319 kg ha-1), 2 wheat grain (3791 kg ha-1) and straw (4898 kg ha-1) yield but mean seed cotton yield (1389 kg ha-1) and monetary returns (net return: Rs 28984 ha-1 and benefit cost ratio: 1.79) was minimum among different irrigation treatments tested in cotton-wheat system. S recorded significantly higher mean seed cotton yield 3 (1615 kg ha-1), total biomass yield (3859 kg ha-1), main branches plant-1 (15.9), balls plant-1 (36.2) and wheat grain yield (3810 kg ha-1) due to lower competition on behalf of more space plant-1. S also recorded significantly higher mean net return 3 (Rs 40011 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.92) than other plant geometry treatments in cotton-wheat system. Among interactions, I S recorded significantly higher 1 3 seed cotton yield (1694 kg ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (1.96) but variations in wheat grain yield and net returns under different interactions of irrigation and plant geometry were not significant. Cotton-wheat produced higher wheat yield (3786.5 kg ha-1) than pearl millet-wheat (3416 kg ha-1) system. Cotton-wheat also produced higher mean pearl millet equivalent (8270 kg ha-1) than pearl millet-wheat (2394 kg ha-1) in the kharif season.