Evaluation of diversified rice-based cropping system for higher productivity under irrigated ecosystem of Central Bihar

A field experiment was conducted at Patna under irrigated condition to evaluate the production potential, water use efficiency and economics of eight rice- based cropping systems involving pulse/oilseed/vegetables as second or third crop. During all the year of experimentations, there were significant variations among cropping systems. Inclusion of pulse/oilseed/vegetables gave higher production and monetary gain over existing rice-wheat system. Maximum rice equivalent yield was recorded in rice-tomato-bottle gourd (39.64 t/ha) followed by rice-potato-onion (29.55 t/ha). Maximum water-use-efficiency was recorded in rice-bottle gourd-tomato (155.2 kg/ha/cm) followed by rice-potato-onion (112.3 kg/ha/cm) and minimum in rice- wheat cropping system (59.2 kg/ha/cm). Highest net return of Rs. 1,38,905/ha was obtained with rice-tomato-bottle gourd followed by rice-potato-onion (Rs. 97,850/ha) and rice-coriander-lady's finger (Rs. 96,188/ha) and. Highest net profit on per rupee investment was also recorded with rice-tomato-bottle gourd (2.64) followed by rice-coriander-lady's finger (2.49).