Yield and Profitability Analysis of Pulse and Oil Seed Based Cropping Patterns against Aman- Boro- Fallow Cropping Systems in Magura

Bangladesh is the 8^th most populous country with a population nearing 163 million. It has a population density of 1,115.62 people per square kilometer (World Population Review, 2019). Total area of the country is 147,570 square kilometres (56,980 sq mi). Therefore, due to drought, salinity and unsuitable lands, crop production is limited to more or less 70% of the total area; which is decreasing at a rate of about 1% annually (Hossain et al., 2015). The national average of cropping intensity is almost 2% (FAO, 2016). The opportunity for horizontal extension of cultivable land is quite impossible but cropping intensity can be enhanced to 400%. This may be achieved by adopting a series of modern technologies such as new modern high yielding short duration and stress tolerant varieties of mustard, potato, pulse, jute and aus rice. Recently with the development of early maturing varieties of the above crops; space have been created to accommodate four crops in same piece of land in a year (BARI, 2017). To feed the future upcoming generations, gain food security and increase productivity by 50%, there is no alternative for increasing cropping intensity. On the other hand, yield gap has to be reduced by eradication of monocropping to get the desired productivity of a crop variety (Islam et al., 2018a). As a result, agronomists are in challenge to develop improved crop production technologies, address production problems, processes and management of problems to maximize the production efficiency of an individual crop with optimum management practices (Hossain et al., 2015).

Cropping pattern is the yearly sequence, temporal and partial arrangement of growing crops in a given land area. A cropping system is the crop production activity of a farm which includes all cropping patterns grown on the farm resources, other household enterprises and the physical, biological, technological and socioeconomic factors or environments (Islam et al., 2018b). Total cultivable land of Magura district is 76,701 ha. Among this, dominant cropping pattern is Boro-fallow-T.aman; which occupying about 21,880 ha of land (28%). Pulse-Jute-fallow and Wheat-Jute-T. aman based pattern occupies 11,033 ha (14%) and 10,618 ha (14%) of land respectively. Rest are minor cropping patterns which contributes less than 10% of the total arable land (DAE, 2019). Among the total arable land; 51,340 ha (BARC, 2020a) and 9,463 ha (BARC, 2020b) is very suitable for production of lentil and mustard respectively.

Rice is the staple food of Bangladesh and it is extensively produced over 70% of its total agricultural lands (Chowhan et al., 2019). Intensive rice-rice cropping systems results in lessening of soil pH and thereby creating soil acidity problem which ultimately results in unavailability of nutrients, depletion of soil and lowering crop yields. Crop rotation with pulse or oil seeds can be easily included in between two rice crops to sustain productivity and profitability of rice based production system (Singh et al., 2019). Sequential cultivation of different crop ensures utilization of all set of nutrients within the soil. It also contributes to reduce soil erosion, enhance soil fertility and crop yield (Adarsh et al., 2019). Cost of rice production is being rising every year; whereas, market price is not up to the mark. Thus, making it a less profitable crop. Production cost of pulse and oil seed crops is much less compared to rice. Conversely, profit is more than rice. Keeping the above factors in mind the present research program was aimed to select suitable crop(s) and pattern to raise yield and cropping intensity and to find out the most profitable cropping pattern in the context of Magura.

The study was conducted at the farmer’s field of Maghi under the sadar upazila of Magura district during July 2018 to June 2019. Geographical position of the experiment site was 23°25’51.7”N latitude and 89°23’54.1”E longitude. It was under the AEZ (Agro Ecological Zone) 11; which is high ganges river flood plain and mostly high to medium high land type characterized by lower content of organic matter and fertility level (Table 1). Total area of AEZ 11 is 1320549 ha under this Magura holds 85700 ha of land (Das et al., 2018; Ahmed et al., 2018). It belonged to tropical monsoon climate with unimodal rainfall. Average weather data (2018-19) of Magura district is presented in Fig 1 (BINA, 2019a). Block farming approach was followed for experiment set up. The following five cropping patterns (CP) were laid for the experimentation-
 
CP₁ =   Transplanted Aman rice (cv. Binadhan-7)-Mustard (cv. Binasarisha-9)- Boro rice (cv. Binadhan-14).
CP₂ =   T. Aman (cv. Binadhan-16) -Mustard (cv. Binasarisha-10) - Boro (cv. Binadhan-14).
CP₃ =   T.Aman (cv. Binadhan-17) -Mustard (cv. Binasarisha- 10) - Boro (cv. Binadhan-14).
CP₄ =   T.Aman (cv. Binadhan-17) -Lentil (cv. Binamasur-8) - Sesame (cv. Binatil-3).
CP₅ =   (Control) -Aman (cv. Shorna) - Boro (cv. Heera) - fallow.
 
Land area for each pattern (block) was 0.25 acre (25 decimal) and total area was 1.25 acres for all the five patterns. For rice, land preparation, planting method, time, seedling age, weeding, pest control, rouging etc. were done according to the methodology followed by Chowhan et al. (2017) and Chowhan et al. (2019). In case of mustard, seeds were broadcasted at the rate of 3.0 Kg/ha. They were thinned and weeded after 15-20 days to maintain plant population of 50-60/m². To prevent from Alternaria blight and other fungal diseases Rovral-50 WP and Autostin-50 WDG were sprayed @ 3g and 2g/L respectively. Insects were controlled by applying Reeva 2.5 EC @ 2.5ml/L when necessary. Seeds were harvested by cutting the crop plants from ground level when siliquae attained a maturity of 80%. For lentil, seeds were treated with Provax 200 WP @ 3g/kg seed and broadcasted @ 15 kg/acre. Weeding, thinning and mulching were done at 30 DAS (days after sowing). For effective controlling of foot and root rot, Provax 200 WP was sprayed @ 2.5g/L thoroughly with care into the root zone at 12 days interval for 3 times. Ripcord 10 EC was applied @ 2ml/L for controlling insects. During early maturity period Amistar Top 325 EC was sprayed 2 times at 10 days interval @ 3ml/L. Tilt 250 EC @ 2.5ml/L was used to prevent rust of lentil. When the pods matured and the color turned dark yellow to brown whole plants were harvested and the seeds were separated from the pods by a mechanical thresher. Sesame seeds were sown @ 3.25kg/acre by broadcasting. Land preparation of sesame was done according to Paul et al. (2019). Plots were kept weed free up to 25 days. Insect infestation was checked through Karate 2.5 EC @ 3ml/L. Fungal diseases were stifled by Forastin 50 WP @ 2.5g/L. Plants were harvested by cutting when plant and capsules turned yellowish color from the bottom. Then the collected plants were sun dried evenly up to complete drying. Later seeds were extracted manually by labor. A well drainage facility was ensured in all the patterns to prevent excess moisture stress. Fertilizer dose (N-P-K-S-Zn-Mg-B kg/ha) for Aman rice was 60-10-50-8-0.8-0-0, Mustard was 80-24-60-18-1.5-3.0-1.0, Boro rice was 120-16-76-12-1.3-0-0, lentil was 80-24-60-18-1.5-3.0-1.0 and sesame were 120-16-76-12-1.3-0-0. Fertilizers were applied as per crop and time stated in FRG (2012). After the end of each crop’s harvest, data were collected on yield and yield attributes, gross return, total variable cost, gross margin and BCR (Benefit cost Ratio). Then, summation of different parameters of the individual crop’s result was done separately and average performance was calculated.

Rice Equivalent Yield (REY) was used to compare between crop sequences, the yield of all crops was converted into rice equivalent on the basis of prevailing market prices of individual crop (Verma and Modgal, 1983). Following formula (Kamrozzaman et al., 2016) was employed to determine REY-
  Economic analysis included data collection on prices and quantities of inputs used and output produced (seed, straw, byproducts etc.). The inputs used included seed, fertilizer, labour and pesticides. The output and inputs were valued at market prices. Results were used to count net income, benefit cost ratio and rice equivalent yield of crops. Net income was computed as the difference between management (family labour and operator’s) cost and gross margin. BCR was computed Kamrozzaman et al. (2016) as per the following formula:

Crop duration and turnaround time of patterns
 
In the first cropping pattern (CP₁) Binadhan-7 was transplanted within 25 DAS; which was harvested at field duration of 93 DAT (days after transplanting) (Table 2). Rahman and Islam (2019) reported that field duration of Binadhan-7 was between 95 to 99 days. This resulted in sowing of next crop in cropping sequence within 2 days. So, after harvesting immediately the plot was made ready for Binasarisha-9 sowing. Binasarisha-9 matured at 94 DAS. BINA (2019b) concluded that mean duration of Binasarisha-9 in Magura was 90 days. Mustard left an additional time (turnaround time) of 29-30 days for sowing of Binadhan-14 in boro season. Binadhan-14 is a braus and short duration variety thus required less seedling age during transplantation. But here, the seedling age was 30 days thus it shortened its life cycle in the main field.

Harvesting of Binadhan-14 was completed at 89 DAT. Chowhan et al. (2018) observed, aus rice varieties shortened their duration due to drought.Seedlings of Binadhan-16 was transplanted to field at 20 DAS in CP₂. It ripened within 89 DAT and was cut (Table 2). Binadhan-16 is extremely a short duration variety of aman which matures within 100 (Chowhan et al. 2017).  Hossain et al. (2018) found that, field duration of Binadhan-16 was 75-78 days. Turnaround time was 8-9 days for sowing of mustard (Binasarisha-10) in the next sequence whose field duration had 82 days. BINA (2019b) conducted 40 demonstrations at Magura and reported 84 days mean life cycle of Binasarisha-10. Next crop (boro rice) got a turnaround time of 43-44 days. Seedlings were raised during this time. This time 25 days old seedlings were used for transplanting of Binadhan-14. It matured at 95 DAT. Chowhan et al. (2019) found duration of Binadhan-14; 126.11 days with varietal effect.
       
First crop (Binadhan-17) of CP₃ was transplanted at 20 DAS. Field maturity of Binadhan-17 was 97 days (Table 2). Average duration of 30 demonstrations of Binadhan-17 at Magura was found to be 116 days by BINA (2019b). The next crop in this pattern, mustard (Binasarisha-10) had a duration of 83 days. After harvesting mustard, there were 28 days turnaround time for transplanting Binadhan-14. 28 days old seedlings were transplanted in the main field. Binadhan-14 matured within 90 DAT. Less duration may have occurred due to soil and weather conditions.
       
Fourth cropping pattern’s (CP₄) first crop aman rice, Binadhan-17 was transferred to main plot at 27 DAS. It gained maturity within 92 days (Table 2); later 13 days turn around time was obtained for sowing lentil (Binamasur-8). Harvesting of Binamasur-8 was done 106 DAS. Earlier studies (BINA, 2019b) mentioned that, mean duration of Binamasur-8 in Magura was 104 days. Which was close to the present findings. Sesame was sown after 11 days of harvesting lentil. Binatil-3 attained maturity 91 DAS. Investigations from Ali, (2018) and BINA, (2019b) indicated that, mean duration of Binatil-3 in Magura ranged from 81 to 88 days. Which was in conformity with the present outcome.
       
CP₅ was the control pattern in the study. A wide locally cultivated aman rice (Shorna) was the first crop in this pattern. 30 days old seedlings were used for transplanting of shorna. This variety gained maturity at 99 DAT and harvested (Table 3). Rahman and Islam, (2019) observed field duration of shorna between 103 to 108 days. After aman rice the land under this pattern (CP₅) was kept fallow as farmers local practice. But there’s a huge scope to cultivate short duration mustard varieties through zero tillage in this type of land to meet up national oil demand (TBS, 2019). In the third sequence, locally produced hybrid variety of boro rice was transplanted at 45 DAS. Heera was harvested at 100 DAT. Chowhan et al. (2019) stated that Heera-1 had a mean duration of 147.78 days with varietal effect. Which closely supported the present findings.
 
Productivity and yield of five patterns
 
Binadhan-7 in CP₁ (Fig 2) produced a grain and straw yield of 5.3 t/ha and 5.88 t/ha respectively. This field results were in supporting with the findings of Rahman and Islam (2019); who found grain yield, 4.18 t/ha to 5.26 t/ha and straw yield, 4.85 t/ha to 5.15 t/ha on several cropping pattern experiments. Next crop, Binasarisha-9 gave 1.6 t/ha seed yield and 3.04 t/ha straw yield. BINA (2019b) reported that mean seed yield of Binasarisha-9 demonstrations at Magura was 1.33 t/ha. Higher yield in pattern was may be due to improved management practices. Khatun et al. (2015) concluded that, straw yield of Bina mustard varieties were 3.74 t/ha to 4.05 t/ha. The low yield of straw may have obtained due to soil moisture, fertility and weather related factors. Last crop of CP₁; Binadhan-14 yielded 6.5 t/ha of grain and 6.89 t/ha straw; this was the maximum yield obtained among the three cropping patterns (CP₁ - CP₃). Similar results on yield were mentioned by BINA (2019b).

First crop of CP₂ (Fig 2), Binadhan-16 attained a grain and straw yield of 4.61 t/ha and 5.24 t/ha. These results are alike with the findings of Chowhan et al. (2019). Binasarisha-10, the second crop of this pattern gave less production than CP₃. It obtained 1.3 t/ha seed yield and 2.14 t/ha straw yield. Ahmed and Kashem (2017) achieved similar outcomes with BARI Sarisha-14. Finally, third crop Binadhan-14 gave 6.31 t/ha grain yield and 6.72 t/ha straw yield; which was the second highest yield compared to the first three patterns. This finding was in affirmatively supported by Chowhan et al. (2019).

In CP₃ (Fig 2), Binadhan-17 yielded more than CP₄. It gave 5.15 t/ha grain yield and 6.15 t/ha straw yield. Chowhan et al. (2017) reported 5.05 t/ha and 7.58 t/ha grain and straw yield of Binadhan-17 in aman season. Differences in straw yield might have occurred for fertilizer management and crop duration. A seed and straw yield of 1.44 t/ha and 2.89 t/ha was given by Binasarisha-10 which was slightly more than CP₂’s mustard yield. Conversely, Binadhan-14 produced 5.8 t/ha and 6.27 t/ha grain and straw yield, which was lowest among the first three patterns (CP₁ - CP₃).

Fourth pattern’s (CP₄) first crop (Fig 3), Binadhan-17 gave lesser production compared to CP₃ (Fig 3). 4.88 t/ha grain and 6.12 t/ha straw yield were gathered from Binadhan-17 in CP₄. The next crop, lentil (Binamasur-8) gave a seed and straw yield of 1.87 t/ha and 2.02 t/ha serially. Haque et al. (2015) found varietal impact of different BARI Masur gave seed yield between 0.94 t/ha to 1.28 t/ha and straw yield of 2.2 t/ha to 2.48 t/ha. BINA (2019b) reported that, mean yield of Binamasur-8 from field demonstrations of Magura were 1.812 t/ha. These consequences were consistent with the present outcomes. Binatil-3 was the final crop in CP₄. It provided a seed and straw yield of 1.26 t/ha and 2.32 t/ha. BINA (2019b) stated mean seed yield of Binatil-3 in farmers’ field demonstrations were 1.16 t/ha. Which validates the current finding.

Control pattern (CP₅) had only two crops in the cropping sequence i.e. aman and boro rice (Fig 3). First crop, Shorna gave 4.25 t/ha of grain and 5.56 t/ha of straw yield. Rahman and Islam (2019) concluded, grain yield extent of Shorna was 4.22 t/ha to 4.80 t/ha and straw yield was 4.40 t/ha to 5.10 t/ha. Which was consistent with the present result. Heera gained a yield of 7.08 t/ha in grain and 10.14 t/ha in straw. Tiongco and Hossain, (2015) reported that, Heera is a very popular grown dry season (boro) rice and its mean grain yield was 7.632 t/ha. Variation of yield in Heera rice in the pattern (CP₅) may have happened due to cultural, environmental and fertilizer management practices.

Within the studied cropping patterns (CP₁ - CP₅) highest rice equivalent yield (REY) was observed (Table 4) with CP₁ (14.46 t/ha) followed by CP₄ (13.52 t/ha) and CP₃ (13.52 t/ha). Pattern (CP₄) under control (farmers practice) produced the lowest REY (11.33 t/ha). Greater REY is not always an indication of improved or profitable cropping pattern; rather it depends on the type, market value and crop sequence.
 
Economic analysis
 
Highest gross return (Tk. 4,52,000) was obtained from CP₁ (Table 4) followed by CP₄ (Tk. 4,20,700), CP₃ (Tk. 4,18,500) and CP₂ (Tk. 4,08,600). The control pattern had a gross return of Tk. 3,57,900. On the other hand, maximum gross margin (Tk. 1,90,189) and MBCR (1.83) was obtained from the cropping pattern CP₄ followed by CP₁ (Tk. 1,25,684 and MBCR 1.39), CP₃ (Tk. 98,100 and MBCR 1.31) and CP₂ (Tk. 84,138 and MBCR 1.26). Whereas, the control pattern produced the minimum gross margin (Tk. 69,271) and MBCR (1.24). In CP₄ higher MBCR was gained as it expensed the minimum amount of variable cost (Tk. 1,90,189) resulting in increased BCR.
 
Farmers’ opinion
 
Farmers opined that a pulse or oil crop could be grown successfully after cutting aman rice. Some of them were interested to cultivate mustard through zero tillage. Finally, they realized the importance growing pulse and oil crops for higher economic benefits. The also said, Mustard, lentil and sesame being a field crop and requirement of less input cost it will be profitable. They widely cultivate Shorna for its taste, flavor and market price and Heera for higher yield.

From the results it can be concluded that, for magura region CP₄ =T.Aman (cv. Binadhan-17)- Lentil (cv. Binamasur-8)- Sesame (cv. Binatil-3) may be a suitable cropping sequence over the existing Aman rice – Boro rice – fallow cropping pattern. Contrary, the lag phase between sesame and aman rice in CP₄ can be exploited for cultivation of short duration vegetables. As CP₄ incorporates all the modern high yielding and short duration varieties. By adopting this pattern farmers of this region will gain higher yield, profit and ensure the maximum utilization of land and time. Though this research explored only a limited area of Magura sadar upaila; further verification and investigation is required for more authentication of the above outcomes.

The authors would like to express heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Md. Abu Saeed, ASO; Mrinal Kumar Shil, JEO; ASM Mushfiqur Rahim, SA-1, Akash Ahmed, Field Man; Md. Jahangir, PO and labors of BINA Sub-station, Magura for their utmost cooperation during the entire research work. Authors also acknowledge the contribution of central revenue budget of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) for funding this experiment.