<div>Background: A suitable cropping system seem to be the possible solution to meet the continuous increase in demand for food, stability of income and diverse requirement of food grains. Selection of suitable cropping system for conservation of resources has prime importance now a day. The cropping systems selected in study have higher potential of production along with incorporable residues during winter. The residues of cotton, castor and mustard crops (Crops in selected cropping systems) have more potential to feed nutrients to soil as compared to burning. So incorporation of such crop residues in to soil helps to recycle the nutrients to correct their deficiencies. Farmyard manure is being used as major source of organic manure in field crops. Thus to maintain the soil health, integrated nutrient management approaches involving FYM and mineral source need to be standardized. So there is need to find out agronomically efficient and economically viable cropping system which can perform better for increasing productivity and profitability with association of conservation of natural resources. 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Sixteen treatment combinations comprising of four cropping system treatments viz, C1 : Cotton- Summer Pearlmillet, C2 : Greengram + Kharif &nbsp;Castor (Relay), C3 : Greengram - Mustard - Summer Pearlmillet and C4 : Greengram - Rabi Castor and two residue incorporation treatments viz, R0 : No residue incorporation and R1 : Residue incorporation as well as two fertilizer doses viz, F1 : 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer and F2 : 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM were evaluated in the study. 
 
Result: Cotton - summer pearlmillet cropping system found significantly superior by recording higher pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability while, total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight were found the lowest under greengram- kharif castor (relay) cropping system. Residue incorporation secured top position by recording significantly the highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability as well as lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. Application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM recorded significantly highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability. In case of weed count and weed dry weight, 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer found significantly superior by recording lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. &nbsp;</div>

<div>Impact of Cropping Systems and Resource Conservation Techniques on Productivity and Profitability of Systems</div>

<div>Background: An intensive cropping system involving legume and vegetable crops not only highly productive and profitable but should also be stable over time and maintains soil health in present scenario. So, keeping this point in view the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the productivity, profitability and sustainability of legume entailing different ultra high intensity rice based cropping system models under irrigated sub-tropics.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, SKUAST-Jammu, Main Campus, Chatha for two consecutive years from kharif 2019 to summer season of 2021. The experiment consisting of five legume entailing rice based cropping system models of cropping intensity varying from 300-600% viz. T1: Rice (Basmati-370) - Wheat (HD-3086) - Cowpea (Lobia Super-60) having 300% cropping intensity, T2: Rice (Basmati-564) - Potato (Kufri Badshah) - Wheat (Raj-3765) - Mixed fodder (Maize+Cowpea+Charri in 2:2:1 ratio) having 400% cropping intensity, T3: Rice (SJR-129) - Knol khol (G-40) - Potato (Kufri Sindhuri) - Green gram (IPM 02-3) having 400% cropping intensity, T4: Rice (Pusa-1121) - Radish (CR-45) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - French bean (Anupama) - Okra (Seli special) having 500% cropping intensity in relay cropping from fourth crop onwards and T5: Rice (IET-1410) - Fenugreek (JF-07) - Knol khol (G-40) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - Dry onion (Selection-1) - Black gram (Pant U-19) having 600% cropping intensity in relay cropping from third crop onwards was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. 
 
Result: The results obtained under two years research study revealed that treatment T4 recorded significantly highest basmati-370 rice equivalent system productivity followed by treatment T5. Further, treatment T4 also recorded highest system cost of cultivation, system gross returns and system net returns. System soil fertility status in terms of available NPK after completion of second crop cycle was significantly affected. Among different cropping systems, significantly higher available nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded in treatment T5 system which was at par with treatment T4.</div>

Performance of Diversified Legume Entailing Ultra High Intensity Rice based Cropping System Models for Higher Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability

Background: Cropping system is an essential component of a farming system. Farmers use a variety of cropping systems based on their expertise, scientific validation is essential before recommending a certain cropping system for a specific area. The purpose of the study was to determine the yield and profitability of a diversified intensive cropping system with nutrient management strategies that are more productive and profitable than existing ones for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s North Western Zone.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: With four replications, the experiment was set up in a strip plot style. Five treatments were used, one of which included intensive diversified cropping systems viz., C1: Groundnut-chillies-greengram, C2: Groundnut + redgram (6:1)-sorghum-blackgram, C3: Maize + fodder cowpea (1:1) - sunflower-greengram, C4: Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato-blackgram, C5: Brinjal + onion (1:2) - cowpea-sunnhemp were taken in main-plots and five nutrient management practices treatments were imposed in sub-plots, including farm yard manure at 12.5 t/ha and vermicompost at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t/ha, as well as fertilisers at variable levels of 100, 75 and 50 per cent were imposed in sub-plots.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Higher total system groundnut equivalent yield was recorded in Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato - blackgram cropping system with respect to nutrient management it was recorded higher in farmyard manure @ 12.5 t/ha along with application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer. Higher B:C ratio and net return was recorded in Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato - blackgram cropping system in terms of nutrient management it was recorded higher in farmyard manure @ 12.5 t/ha along with application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer.

Production and Profitability of Diversified Intensive Cropping System Suitable for North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

<div>A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Imphal, Manipur, to study the performance of intercropping chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) with linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) czernj. &amp; cosson] under 2 varying preceding kharif lowland rice (Oryza sativa L) crop durations and also to evaluate the system productivity and profitability. Planting of medium duration rice variety enhanced growth and yield of rabi crops resulting in increase in system productivity in terms of rice equivalent yield (REY) and production efficiency (PE) &nbsp;by 5.4 %, and 14.5%, respectively over planting of late duration rice variety. Seed and biological yields of chickpea, lentil, Indian mustard and linseed were higher in sole cropping than in intercropping systems. Indian mustard and linseed were found dominant and aggressive as compared to chickpea and lentil. Chickpea and Indian mustard intercropping under 4:2 ratio proved more remunerative and recorded higher yield advantage than either of chickpea and linseed or lentil and Indian mustard intercropping as judged by REY (9.7 tonnes/ha), crop productivity (39.9 kg/ha/ day) and &nbsp;net return (` 81,168/ha). Land equivalent ratio (LER) of chickpea with Indian mustard (1.10) remained at par with intercropping chickpea with linseed (1.17), however, lentil intercropped with Indian mustard had less than unity LER of 0.87.</div>

<div>Enhancing Pulse Productivity under Rice Based Production System Through Chickpea and Lentil Based Intercropping Systems in North East India</div>

<div>A field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm of ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tura during kharif, pre-rabi and rabi season of 2011-12 to 2013-14 to determine the suitable production potential, profitability, resource use efficiency and sustainability of diversified maize-legumes cropping system. The five cropping sequences viz., CS1: Maize + Blackgram (1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (2:1) &ndash; tomato, &nbsp;CS2: maize + green gram(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (2:1) &ndash; tomato, CS3: maize + groundnut(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (2:1) &ndash; tomato, &nbsp;CS4: maize + Ssybean(1:2) &ndash; tomato and CS5: maize sole &ndash; green gram &ndash; tomato were replicated four times using a randomized block design on sandy loam soil with low to medium fertility level and slightly acidic in reaction. The cropping system &ldquo;Maize + Green gram(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato&rdquo; was found to be most remunerative and sustainable with system productivity (175.49 q/ha), net return (Rs.3,38,725/ha), profitability (Rs. 928.01 /ha/day), benefit cost ratio (4.40), sustainable yield index (1.00), production efficiency (Rs.58.30/ha/day), relative economic efficiency (162.72%), except land use efficiency(LUE) which was the highest (85.75%) in &nbsp;&ldquo;maize + groundnut(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato&rdquo; cropping system. The lowest system productivity, net returns, profitability, production efficiency, land use efficiency etc was found in maize+ soybean (1:2)- tomato followed by maize-greengram-tomato cropping system. Hence, the cropping sequence maize + green gram(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato &nbsp;and maize + groundnut(1:2) &ndash; green gram + maize (1:1) &ndash; tomato were found to be the productive, profitable, remunerative, resource use efficient and sustainable &nbsp;in the mid hills sub-tropical regions of India.</div>

<div>Sustainable diversification of maize (Zea mays L.) -legumes cropping systems for productivity, profitability and resource-use efficiency in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India</div>

Background: Legume cropping systems are widely recognized for their potential to enhance productivity, improve resource use efficiency and increase farm income under diversified cropping situations. However, the performance of such systems largely depends on the choice of compatible crop combinations and their suitability to different seasons. In many parts of North-Western India, continuous dominance of cereal-based cropping has resulted in stagnation of system productivity and profitability. Therefore, evaluation of season specific cereal-legume strip cropping systems is necessary to identify productive and economically viable cropping options. 
 
Methods: A field investigation was carried out during summer (zaid) and kharif of 2024 and 2025 at the Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu. The experiment comprised of nine cereal legume strip cropping systems arranged in a randomised block design with three replications. Various combinations of fodder (maize, sorghum and bajra) and legumes (mash, mungbean, cowpea and soybean) were assessed for their effect on yield attributes, equivalent yields and economic returns. 
 
Result: The findings indicated that both productivity and profitability of the cropping systems differed significantly among seasons. Certain cereal legume combinations, particularly those involving mungbean and mash during summer (zaid) and soybean during kharif, consistently produced higher yields and system productivity. These systems also recorded higher gross and net returns along with better benefit cost ratio, thereby proving their economic advantage over the other cropping systems.

Productivity and Profitability of Cereal Legume Strip Cropping System In North Western Plains of India

<div>Background: Conservation agriculture (CA), an agricultural production system with optimum inputs, high returns and sustainability while conserving environment is primarily required for command areas and rainfed uplands. CA helps to improve and conserve soil health through crop rotation, mulching, minimum field traffic and mechanical soil disturbance etc and conserve water to achieve economically and ecologically sustainable crop production. 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted for two years during 2019-21 to evaluate the influence of conservation agricultural practices on the system productivity, production efficiency and energy use under legume based cropping system in a command area. Treatments comprised of four cropping systems as Groundnut - foxtail millet (C1), Groundnut - barnyard millet (C2), Daincha - foxtail millet (C3) and Daincha - barn yard millet (C4) in main plots and foliar application of organics, 3% panchagavya, 1% PPFM and 0.1% humic acid formed subplots. 
 
Result: System productivity in terms of Groundnut equivalent yield (GEY) was significantly higher (8395 kg/ha) in the Groundnut - Barnyard millet cropping system with foliar application of PPFM 1% in CA system than that of conventional method. The production efficiency was maximum in Groundnut - barnyard millet system (34.41 kg/ha/day) and Groundnut - foxtail millet recorded the highest energy use efficiency (6.8%) which shows that maximum energy was effectively utilized under the system. Daincha - foxtail millet system had highest energy productivity of 0.91 kg M/J. Thus, the conservation tillage based Groundnut - barnyard millet system recorded more system productivity, highest resource use efficiency (both production and land use efficiency) and the highest energy use efficiency.</div>

​Conservation Agriculture Practices: Impact on Productivity, Energy Utilisation and Profitability of Legume-based Cropping System

<div>Background: Intercropping is an effective tool to enhance productivity, biodiversity and stability of the fragile agro-ecosystem. In the era of shrinking resources, intercropping based on pulse crops like soybean can play an important role in crop diversification as well as agricultural sustainability. But, the information on soybean based intercropping systems is limited and needs to be explored for north-west India. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the effect of different soybean based intercropping systems under different planting patterns on productivity, profitability and energetics. Soybean crop was planted as sole as well as in intercropping systems viz., soybean (45 cm) + mung bean &nbsp;(1:1), soybean (45 cm) + cowpea fodder (1:1), soybean (45 cm) + groundnut &nbsp;(1:1), soybean (45 cm) + maize fodder (1:1) , soybean (60 cm) + &nbsp;mash (1:1), soybean (60 cm) + &nbsp;mung bean &nbsp;(1:2), soybean (60 cm) + &nbsp;cowpea fodder (1:2), soybean (60 cm) + &nbsp;groundnut (1:2), soybean (60 cm) + &nbsp;maize fodder (1:2) and soybean (60 cm) + maize (grain) (1:1).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The pooled results over two years elucidated that soybean equivalent yield was affected significantly by different intercropping systems. Soybean (45 cm) + groundnut (1:1) produced the highest soybean equivalent yield and it was significantly better than all other systems except soybean (60 cm) + groundnut in 1:2 row ratio. Similar trend was followed by production efficiency. Both, soybean (45 cm) + groundnut (1:1) and soybean (60cm) + groundnut (1:2) systems produced significantly higher energy productivity as compared to sole soybean. The highest gross (Rs. 98185 /ha) and net returns (Rs. 56122/ha) were obtained in soybean (45 cm) + groundnut (1:1) intercropping system whereas the highest benefit cost ratio was obtained in soybean (60 cm) + maize fodder (1:2) system.</div>

<div>Energetics, Productivity and Profitability of Soybean (Glycine max)-Based Intercropping Systems under Different Planting Patterns</div>

Background: A combination of maize and legume, cabbage and potato in intercropping benefits the agricultural production system due to different peak period of growth and synergistic effects, which reflected into yield advantage. In order to reduce nutritional competition and the yield gaps between actual production and production potential for both crops in the intercropping system, more information is required for the optimization of maize-based intercropping systems. So, keeping above fact in mind, the present study was undertaken to find out the suitable rabi maize based intercropping system for augmenting productivity and profitability of maize. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted on the farmer&rsquo;s field of selected villages of KVK Bhagalpur (on-farm trials) during the winter (rabi) season of 2020-21 and 2021-22 on rabi maize to validate, refine and popularize the technology developed at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur (Bihar) and ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana, for enhancing the productivity and profitability of rabi maize. The experiment, comprising four treatments, viz., sole rabi maize (farmer&rsquo;s practice), maize + potato (1:1 row ratio), maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio) and maize + cabbage (1:1 row ratio), was arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with five replications. All five farmers selected for experimentation were treated as replications. 
 
Result: Experimental results revealed that all three intercropping associations of maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio), maize + potato (1:1 row ratio), maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio) and maize + cabbage (1:1 row ratio) produced significantly higher maize equivalent yields than the sole crop of rabi maize. However, among the intercropping systems, maize + vegetable pea (1:2 row ratio) produced the highest maize equivalent yield (241.0 q/ha) and significantly incurred the highest net return (322093 ₹ /ha), as well as a higher B: C ratio (6.04) than the rest of the intercropping systems as well as sole crop of rabi maize.

Evaluation of Rabi Maize-based Intercropping System for Augmenting the Productivity and Profitability of Rabi Maize under Irrigated Conditions of Bihar

Background: The continuing adoption of the rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) and indiscriminate use of inorganic fertiliser has led to a decrease in soil fertility, an increase in multiple micronutrient deficiencies, a decrease in the water table and excessive greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the Indo Gangetic Plains. Adoption of crop diversification strategies, including legumes in cropping systems with integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources, could be a viable option for achieving higher fodder tonnage and sustainable crop production in aforesaid ecologies. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the kharif, rabi and summer seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 in a split-plot design comprising four cropping systems (CS) i.e., rice-wheat, rice-berseem, pearl millet-oats-moong bean and maize-cowpea-wheat in main plots; and four nutrient management (NM) practices i.e., 100% RDF (recommended dose of fertiliser), 100% RDF + cow urine (foliar spray), 100% RDF + PGPR (seed treatments) and 75% RDF + cow urine + PGPR were assigned in sub-plots with three replications of each treatment.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Investigations revealed that the significantly highest system productivity, net returns and higher nutrient availability were obtained under the rice-berseem cropping system with 100% RDF + PGPR treatment. The magnitude of increment in system productivity of the rice&ndash;berseem cropping system was 35.06, 57.87 and 87.29% over rice-wheat, maize-cowpea-wheat and pearl millet-oats-moong bean cropping system, respectively. The legume-based cropping system has strengthened and sustained crop productivity and profitability. The results of the present work confirmed that the adoption of legume-based crop diversification has significantly alleviated the crop yield of dairy-based farming systems.

Productivity and Profitability of Diversified Legume-based Cropping Systems in the Indo-gangetic Plains of India as Influenced by Nutrient Management