Effects of conservation agriculture on productivity and Economics of maize-wheat based cropping systems in midwestern Nepal

Authors

  • K Pariyar Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal
  • A Chaudhary Horticulture Research Station, Dailekh, Nepal
  • P Sapkota Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA
  • S Sharma Horticulture Research Station, Dailekh, Nepal
  • CB Rana Horticulture Research Station, Dailekh, Nepal
  • J Shrestha Agriculture Botany Division, NARC, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/sja.v17i1.42761

Keywords:

Intercropping, Maize, Residue, Soybean, Tillage

Abstract

The effects of two tillage methods (zero tillage and conventional tillage), two residue managements (residue kept and residue removed) and two levels of cropping system (maize + soybean and sole maize) were studied over 3 years (2015-2017) at Dailekh district of Nepal. Arun-2 and Puja were the varieties of maize and soybean used respectively, followed by winter wheat. The results revealed that the maize + soybean system had significantly higher plant population and ear population (34.83 thousands ha-1 and 34.35 thousands ha-1, respectively), grains per row (37.1), ear length (16.6 cm) and 20.5% higher grain yield as compared to sole maize. The highest maize equivalent yield (7.92 t ha-1) was recorded in maize + soybean as compared to the lower grain yield equivalent (7.06 t ha-1) in sole maize. Zero tillage accounted relatively higher benefits (high net income and B:C ratio) as compared to conventional tillage. The residue kept plot resulted significantly higher B:C ratio (2.41) than the residue removed (2.11) and the maize + soybean recorded 82.5% greater B:C ratio compared to sole maize. Net annual income was significantly higher in zero tillage, residue kept and maize + soybean system (NRs. 223072.00, 222958.00 and 269016.00 ha-1 respectively). Such combinations are recommended for Dailekh district of Nepal to have profitable crop productivity.

SAARC J. Agri., 17(1): 49-63 (2019)

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Published

2019-08-25

How to Cite

Pariyar, K., Chaudhary, A., Sapkota, P., Sharma, S., Rana, C., & Shrestha, J. (2019). Effects of conservation agriculture on productivity and Economics of maize-wheat based cropping systems in midwestern Nepal. SAARC Journal of Agriculture, 17(1), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.3329/sja.v17i1.42761

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