Bangladesh Agron. J. 2021, 24(1): 109-117 INCREASING CROPPING INTENSITY AND CROP PRODUCTIVITY OF FOUR CROPS BASED MUSTARD-BORO-T. AUS-T. AMAN CROPPING PATTERN A. Barman1, S. Shome2, M.R. Khatun1, M.M. Masud1 and S. Akther1 1Soil Science Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh 2Department of Agronomy, SAU, Dhaka, Bangladesh Corresponding E-mail: alakbarman.sau@gmail.com (Received: 19 April 2021, Accepted: 01 May 2021) Keywords: Cropping system; fertilizer; marginal benefit cost ratio; rice equivalent yield; yield Abstract A field trial on soil test based (STB) fertilizer doses was conducted during the year of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 in Jashore region (AEZ-11) to find out the most suitable fertilizer doses for four crop based cropping pattern considering the agronomic feasibility and economic return of the system. The experiment consisted of eight different treatments viz. T1: 100% NPKSZnB (STB), T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5:T1 + 25% PK, T6:T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: Native fertility. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was followed. Data revealed that seed yield of mustard was remarkably influenced by fertilizer treatments while grain yield of other components of the cropping system was not affected significantly by the treatments except control or native fertility. It was observed that 25% more NPK over 100% STB dose provided the highest yield of all the component crops. The highest rice equivalent yield (3.34 t ha-1) was recorded from T6 and the lowest (1.88 t ha-1) from T8 treatment. Maximum gross return (Tk. 420000/ha) and marginal benefit cost ratio (4.08) were also obtained from T6 treatment. So, 25% NPK+ 100% STB dose of fertilizer could be followed for productive and remunerative rice based cropping system Mustard- Boro-T. Aus-T.Aman in AEZ-11. Introduction Bangladesh is one of the highest populous countries of the world with the annual growth rate of about 1.37% (BBS, 2019). On the other hand, available agricultural land of Bangladesh is decreasing with an alarming rate of about 1% per year (Hossain et al., 2014). Rate of cropland shifting to non-agricultural land (housing, industry, etc.) is formidable as it is associated with the food security of the country (Islam et al., 2018). Meeting the challenge of ensuring food security through horizontal expansion of land is not possible due to decrease in agricultural land. So intensifying land use system through multiple cropping or by growing more and more crops on the same piece of land in a calendar year is a promising option to feed this teeming millions. Rice based cropping system consisting of Boro-Fallow-T. Aman is a popular cropping pattern of Bangladesh (Parvin et al., 2017). Inclusion of Mustard and short duration T. Aus variety in this cropping pattern could increase the cropping intensity of our country up to 400% as well as improve the socio-economic condition of the farmer. However, the advantage of including extra crops in rice based cropping systemcould depends upon the selection of variety and appropriate agronomic management practices such as fertilizer management (Hossain et al., 2014). Aziz et 110 Barman et al. al. (2013) reported that multiple cropping system effects soil carbon and nitrogen status, and also improve soil functional properties. Nevertheless, continuous cropping causes nutrient mining from soil while a blanket fertilizer dose for all regions without considering the soil nutrient status leads to tremendous damage to soil, environment and economy. Sultana et al. (2015) opined that actual recommended fertilizer dose is higher than actual need of fertilizer and this gap creates soil nutrient imbalance.As soil fertility is a major determinant for the success and failure of a crop production system, time demands a suitable fertilizer recommendation based on soil testing for promising four crops based cropping pattern which is agronomically feasible and economically profitable. As such, the present study was undertaken to find out the most suitable fertilizer dose for Mustard-Boro-T.Aus-T.Aman cropping pattern at AEZ-11 considering both the yield and economic return of the system. Materials and Methods Initial soil status The field experiment was executed at the central farm of RARS, Jashore (AEZ 11) during 2017- 18 and 2018-19. The initial soil samples from 0-15 cm depth was collected and analyzed before establishing the experiment. Initial soil status of experimental field is presented in Table 1. Table 1. Chemical properties of experimentalsoil (initial) at the RARS, Jashore pH OM (%) Ca Mg K Total N % P S B Cu Fe Mn Zn meq/100 g soil g g-1 7.7 0.92 12 3.4 0.19 0.048 15.1 18.0 0.14 2.1 38 5.0 2.0 Critical level 2.0 0.5 0.12 Very low 7.0 10 0.2 0.2 4.0 1.0 0.6 Experimental details The experiment was conducted in a Randomized complete block design with three replications. Eight different treatments viz. T1: 100% NPKSZnB (STB), T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1+ 25% NK, T5:T1+ 25% PK, T6:T1+ 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: Native fertility was applied in different plots having size of 4.2m x 3m each. The STB fertilizer dose for mustard, boro, T.Aus and T.Aman is N138P22K25S0Zn1.85, N186P30K23S30Zn0, N90P15K2.17S23Zn0 and N159P30K7S24Zn0, respectively. Mustard crop (var. BARI Sarisha-14) was used as test crop for the first component of the pattern. Mustard seeds were sown in line with 30 cm row to row on November 06, 2017 and November 07, 2018. Fertilizer N-P-K-S-Zn and B were supplied from urea, TSP, MP, Gypsum, Zinc sulphate and Boric acid respectively. All PKSZnB and 1/3 of N were applied at the time of final land preparation. The remaining two third of N were applied as top dress at 30 and 60 days after sowing. Three irrigation and other intercultural operations were done as and when required. The mustard was harvested on January 28, 2018 and January 27, 2019. After mustard, BRRI dhan28 was transplanted in the same plots on February 3, 2018 and February 2, 2019 with a row to row spacing of 20 cm and plant to plant spacing of 15 cm. All fertilizers including 1/3rd of N were applied before transplanting. Rest of N was applied in two installments at 15 and 45 days after transplanting. For T. Aus rice, the variety BRRI dhan48 was used in the experiment. Transplanting was done on May 15, 2018 and May 14, 2019 with a row to row spacing of 20 cm and plant to plant spacing of 15 cm. All fertilizers including 1/3rd of N were applied before transplanting. Rest of N was applied in two installments at 15 and 45 days after transplanting. For T. Aman rice, the variety BRRI dhan57 was used in the experiments.Transplanting was done on July 29, 2018 and July 28, 2019 with Increasing Crop Productivity of Four Crop Based Cropping Pattern 111 a row to row spacing of 20 cm and plant to plant spacing of 15 cm. T. Aman rice was harvested on November 4, 2018 and November 5, 2019. Data collection and analysis Data on yield and yield contributing characters were recorded and analyzed using Statistix 10 software. The means were separated using least significant difference (LSD) at the 5% level of significance. Rice equivalent yield is determined by the following equation Rice equivalent yield of a crop= Yield of that crop (t ha-1) × unit price of that crop Unit price of rice Economic analysis Gross return from this rice based cropping system was calculated by multiplying the yield of crops with their market price. Total variable cost included the fertilizer cost. Gross margin was calculated by subtracting the variable cost from the gross return. Marginal Benefit Cost Ratio (MBCR) was calculated by dividing the marginal value product by total variable cost. Results and Discussion Mustard Data regarding yield and yield contributing characters of mustard as influenced by the fertilizer rate has been presented in Table 2 & 3. In both the experimental years (2017-2018 and 2018- 2019), 25% NPK+100% STB gave highest plant height, no. of branches plant-1, no. of pods plant-1, no. of grains pod-1, 1000 seed weight (g) and stover yield while no fertilizer gave the lowest value of these parameters. In the two consecutive years, about 46% and 48% more yield was obtained than 100% STB dose while 25% more NPK was added to 100% STB dose. The native nutrient treatment produced the lowest mustard seed yield (0.91 and 0.96)t ha-1 in Jashore during the year of 2017-18 and 2018-19. Alike trend of increased yield in mustard due to added fertilizers in 3 or 4 cropping patterns was also reported by Barman et al. (2019) and Saha et al. (2016). Dobermann et al. (2013) opined that site-specific plant nutrient management (STB in our study) can increase yield as well as nutrient use efficiency of crop rotation. Table 2. Yield and yield contributing characters of Mustard during 2017-2018 Treat ment Plant height (cm) No. of branches No. of pods plant-1 Pod length (cm) No. of grains pod-1 Ineffective pods plant-1 1000 - seed weight (g) Seed yield Stover yield (t ha-1) T1 82.03b 5.53de 63.53de 4.00bc 32.53c 9.33bcd 3.40cd 1.10c 2.26b T2 84.67ab 6.73bc 73.53c 4.40ab 35.46abc 11.00abc 3.66bc 1.12c 2.30b T3 87.60a 7.00b 87.46b 4.53ab 36.80ab 9.00cd 3.83b 1.43b 2.43ab T4 85.86ab 6.86bc 86.33b 4.53ab 35.53abc 8.00d 3.70bc 1.23c 2.36b T5 82.80b 5.80cd 67.00cd 4.40ab 34.40bc 11.66ab 3.46bcd 1.21c 2.30b T6 89.33a 8.46a 96.20a 4.93a 38.40a 7.00d 4.26a 1.61a 2.70a T7 75.66c 5.40de 59.00ef 3.93bc 28.53d 12.66a 3.20de 1.01d 2.16b T8 61.86d 4.53e 55.33f 3.60c 25.00e 13.33a 2.96e 0.91d 1.56c CV (%) 2.91 9.13 5.19 9.18 5.94 9.14 6.60 6.93 6.85 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. 112 Barman et al. Table. 3. Yield and yield contributing characters of Mustard during the year 2018-2019 Treat ment Plant height (cm) No. of branches No. of pods plant-1 Pod length (cm) No. of grains pod-1 Ineffective pods plant-1 1000- seed weight (g) Seed yield Stover yield (t ha-1) T1 95.28bc 5.98 cd 71.33de 4.65bc 36.75 bc 15.02 ab 3.32 cd 1.16 cde 2.23b T2 97.19 b 6.88 bc 81.31 c 5.04 ab 39.32 ab 13.12 bc 3.53 bc 1.35 bcd 2.30 b T3 98.12 ab 7.74 b 95.25 b 5.32a 39.44 ab 13.08 bc 3.72 b 1.63 ab 2.43 b T4 100.01 ab 6.96b 94.03b 5.35a 39.42ab 13.10 bc 3.61 bc 1.41 bc 2.36 b T5 97.00 b 5.76 de 75.02cd 5.28 a 38.43ab 11.87 cd 3.35 bcd 1.36 bcd 2.30 b T6 101.62 a 8.86 a 104.04 a 5.74 a 40.72 a 10.02 d 4.15 a 1.72 a 2.70 a T7 95.13 b 5.62 de 67.22ef 4.02 c 32.76 c 16.62 a 3.11de 1.07de 2.16 b T8 90.12 c 4.87e 62.04f 4.01 c 30.31c 17.32 a 2.86 e 0.96 e 1.60 c CV (%) 2.97 9.42 6.88 6.98 8.23 7.32 6.98 9.11 7.96 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. Boro The second component of the cropping pattern was Boro rice. The yield contributing characters and grain yield of Boro rice are presented in Table 4 and Table 5. Most of the yield contributing characters, straw and grain yield of Boro rice was significantly influenced by the different fertilizer treatments. Highest plant height was recorded from T6 treatment which was statistically at par with T2, T3, T4 and T5. In both the experimental years, 25% NPK with 100% STB gave highest no. of tiller hill-1, no of panicle hill-1, panicle length, grain and straw yield which was statistically similar with all other treatments except control plot or treatment. But numerically T6 treatment produced highest grain yield (6.28 and 6.34 t ha-1) in both the consecutive years. Fertilizer has no significant effect on 1000-grain weight. Barman et al. (2019) also reported highest boro rice yield from 25% extra NPK over 100% STB dose in four crop based cropping pattern. Table 4. Yield and yield contributing characters of Boro rice during the year 2018 Treatments Plant height (cm) No. of tiller hill-1 No. of panicle hill-1 Panicle length (cm) 1000- grain wt. (g) Straw yield Grain Yield (t ha-1) T1 88.39c 18.89a 18.27a 17.66a 21.30 6.10a 5.45ab T2 90.07ab 19.19a 18.05a 18.14a 21.42 6.37a 5.61ab T3 91.12ab 20.17a 18.18a 18.65a 22.08 6.44a 5.72 a T4 95.01a 19.59a 18.25a 18.76a 22.50 6.70a 5.82ab T5 95.42a 19.95a 18.35a 19.02a 22.89 6.89a 5.73ab T6 93.66a 20.85a 19.68a 19.81a 23.18 6.97a 6.28 a T7 89.92bc 20.08a 17.25a 18.31a 21.42 5.27a 5.35ab T8 79.98d 15.15b 14.48b 16.45b 20.43 4.67b 4.79 b CV (%) 3.56 2.87 2.67 1.91 4.54 10.02 9.53 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. Increasing Crop Productivity of Four Crop Based Cropping Pattern 113 Table 5. Yield and yield contributing characters of Boro rice during the year 2019 Treatments Plant height (cm) No. of tiller hill-1 No. of panicle hill-1 Panicle length (cm) 1000- grain wt. (g) Straw yield Grain Yield (t ha-1) T1 85.33c 19.74a 19.22a 19.44a 22.36 6.13a 5.43ab T2 89.05ab 19.66a 19.02a 19.42a 23.22 6.12a 5.52ab T3 90.67ab 20.04a 19.06a 19.74a 22.04 6.18a 5.81a T4 93.65a 19.73a 19.11a 19.76a 21.36 6.34a 5.76ab T5 94.47a 20.15a 19.18a 19.48a 21.74 6.11a 5.68ab T6 93.82a 20.22a 19.48a 19.68a 23.18 6.13a 6.34 a T7 86.74bc 20.08a 19.13a 19.22a 21.14 5.67a 5.14ab T8 76.82d 15.01b 14.44b 16.32b 20.73 4.32b 4.28b CV (%) 3.36 2.64 2.45 2.67 5.12 9.86 8.68 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. T. Aus Rice Data on yield and yield contributing characters of T. Aus rice was depicted in Table 6 & 7. Both in 2018 and 2019, the tallest plant was recorded for T6 treatment but it was statistically similar with T2, T3, T4 and T5 treatment. No of tillers hill-1, no of panicle hill-1, panicle length and straw yield was statistically similar for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 treatments but for T8 treatment. 1000- grain weight was not affected by fertilizer dose. During the experimental years of 2018 and 2019, adding 25% NPK over 100% STB provided 44% and 50% higher yield, respectively than 75% of STB dose which was about 68% and 77% higher, respectively compared to native fertility. Barman et al. (2020) also reported 64% higher yield from 25% NPK+100% STB dose than no fertilizer. An increase of N, P and K fertilizer doses from STB recommended doses significantly increased yield and yield contributing parameters of rice (Hasan et al., 2017). Table 6. Yield and yield contributing characters of T. Aus rice during the year 2018 Treatments Plant height (cm) No. of tiller hill-1 No. of panicle hill-1 Panicle length (cm) 1000- grain wt. (g) Straw yield Grain Yield (t ha-1) T1 82.13c 16.62a 16.18a 16.44a 19.42 4.32a 2.73ab T2 91.45ab 16.64a 16.00a 16.51a 19.54 4.08a 2.76ab T3 91.22ab 16.98a 16.08a 16.64a 19.62 4.04a 2.70ab T4 94.32a 16.64a 16.17a 16.72a 19.71 4.48a 2.74ab T5 95.42a 17.12a 16.28a 16.81a 19.81 4.05a 2.80ab T6 93.87a 17.21a 16.54a 16.92a 19.92 4.01a 3.03 a T7 87.19bc 17.00a 16.18a 16.31a 19.38 3.74a 2.01b T8 77.41d 15.02b 14.33b 14.22b 19.21 2.34b 1.20 c CV (%) 3.87 2.89 3.55 1.86 4.57 10.23 8.11 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. 114 Barman et al. Table 7. Yield and yield contributing characters of T. Aus rice during the year 2019 Treatments Plant height (cm) No. of tiller hill-1 No. of panicle hill-1 Panicle length (cm) 1000- grain wt. (g) Straw yield Grain Yield (t ha-1) T1 82.00c 15.44a 15.14a 15.62a 19.42 4.32a 2.71ab T2 90.12ab 15.55a 15.12a 15.65a 19.35 4.13a 2.73ab T3 90.08ab 16.11a 15.07a 15.96a 19.26 4.06a 2.75ab T4 93.22a 15.77a 15.14a 15.97a 19.47 4.47a 2.77ab T5 94.31a 16.22a 15.18a 15.68a 19.58 4.08a 2.88ab T6 92.71a 16.11a 15.33a 15.89a 19.39 4.09a 3.19 a T7 86.12bc 15.98a 15.02a 15.33a 19.31 3.71a 2.21b T8 76.31d 14.11b 13.21b 13.66b 19.31 2.40b 1.10 c CV (%) 4.12 5.03 3.18 2.34 4.55 8.98 9.20 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. T. Aman The forth component of the cropping pattern was T. Aman rice. Table 8 and Table 9 represented the experimental data related to yield and yield contributing characters of T. Aman rice. T6 treatment produced the tallest plant which was statistically similar with all other treatment except T7 and T8. Control treatment produced the lowest no. of tillers hill-1 while other treatments showed no significant variations in both the consecutive years. There was no significant impact of treatments on panicle length and 1000-grain weight. Highest straw yield was recorded from T6 and lowest from T8. During the two consecutive experimental seasons of 2018 and 2019, about 93% and 88% higher yield, respectively was recorded from T6 treatment than control but it was statistically similar with 100% STB dose and other treatments. Ali et al. (2009) observed maximum grain yield from soil test value for HYG while Saha et al. (2016) reported higher yield from 20% more from the STB dose in potato-maize-T. Aman cropping pattern of AEZ-3. Table 8. Yield and yield contributing characters of T. Aman rice during the year 2018 Treatments Plant height (cm) No. of tiller hill-1 No. of panicle hill-1 Panicle length (cm) 1000- grain wt. (g) Straw yield Grain yield (t ha-1) T1 96.42ab 15.44a 15.43b 18.41 21.41 5.43ab 3.32a T2 96.51ab 17.53a 16.52ab 18.55 21.53 5.53abc 3.45a T3 97.64ab 17.61a 16.61ab 18.66 21.62 5.61abc 3.55a T4 97.72ab 16.72a 16.72ab 18.73 21.73 4.71bc 3.65a T5 98.82a 17.81a 16.81ab 18.84 21.83 5.81ab 3.75a T6 98.94a 17.91a 16.91a 18.95 21.93 5.91a 4.08a T7 94.32b 16.33a 15.33ab 18.32 21.31 4.31bc 3.23a T8 72.21c 9.23b 9.23c 18.20 21.21 3.23c 2.11b CV (%) 2.88 4.77 4.75 5.12 4.11 10.82 7.32 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. Increasing Crop Productivity of Four Crop Based Cropping Pattern 115 Table 9. Yield and yield contributing characters of T. Aman rice during 2019 Treatments Plant height (cm) No. of tiller hill-1 No. of panicle hill-1 Panicle length (cm) 1000 grain wt. (g) Straw yield Grain yield (t ha-1) T1 95.54ab 15.84a 15.13b 18.44 21.04 5.14ab 3.53a T2 95.55ab 16.85a 16.24ab 18.05 21.55 5.05abc 3.54a T3 96.56ab 16.74a 16.46ab 18.96 21.26 5.06abc 3.65a T4 96.47ab 15.97a 15.58ab 18.67 21.17 4.87bc 3.46a T5 97.58a 16.02a 15.87ab 18.38 21.58 5.78ab 3.57a T6 97.59a 16.11a 16.09a 18.19 21.59 5.89a 3. 98a T7 93.63b 15.74a 15.12ab 18.72 21.33 4.52bc 3.22a T8 71.42c 9.63b 9.02c 18.51 21.22 3.81c 2.08b CV (%) 3.11 4.98 5.21 5.55 4.11 9.22 8.98 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. Rice equivalent yield Productivity of different crops on the rice based cropping system was determined by Rice Equivalent Yield (REY) which was calculated from yield of component crops. Average yield of component crops and rice equivalent yield of mustard was depicted in Table 10. From the results of two years research on four crop based cropping pattern, it was observed that the highest REY (3.34 t ha-1) was recorded from T6 (25% extra NPK over 100% STB dose) and lowest from T8. REY of mustard was 46% higher than 100% STB dose when 25% more NPK was added to it. Barman et al. (2020) also documented higher rice equivalent yield of mustard from 25% NPK+ 100% STB dose. Mondal et al. (2015) also claimed of having 49 to 67% higher productivity from the intensified land use system under four cropped based cropping pattern. Inclusion of mustard in rice based cropping pattern increase REY about 45.3-51.6% (Hossain et al., 2014). Naher et al. (2016) and Hossain et al. (2014) opined that short duration varieties and improved four crop based cropping pattern increases total productivity and profitability over farmers existing pattern. Table 10. Rice equivalent yield of Mustard-Boro-T. Aus-T. Aman Treatments Average yield of crops in the pattern Rice equivalent yield mustard in the pattern Mustard Boro T.aus T.aman T1 1.13 5.44 2.72 3.43 2.26 T2 1.24 5.57 2.75 3.50 2.48 T3 1.53 5.77 2.73 3.60 3.06 T4 1.32 5.79 2.76 3.56 2.64 T5 1.29 5.71 2.84 3.66 2.58 T6 1.67 6.32 3.11 4.03 3.34 T7 1.04 5.25 2.11 3.23 2.08 T8 0.94 4.53 1.15 2.10 1.88 Price : 1 kg mustard = Tk. 50, 1 kg rice = Tk. 25 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. 116 Barman et al. Economic analysis Cost and return analysis was done on the basis of prevailing market price of the commodities. Economics analysis of the cropping pattern Mustard-Boro-T.Aus-T.Aman was delineated in Table 11. It was observed that highest gross return, total variable cost, gross margin and marginal value product was obtained from 25% extra NPK over 100% STB dose. The maximum marginal benefit cost ratio was also gained from T6 treatment. Although the total variable cost is higher for T6 but its output value surpassed other fertilizer packages. That’s why 25% more NPK with 100% STB dose was the most economically profitable fertilizer package for Mustard-Boro- T.Aus -T.Aman cropping pattern under AEZ-11. Hossain et al. (2014) found highest MBCR from Mustard-Boro-T.Aus-T.Aman. Thus four crop based cropping pattern would play a vital role to ensure food security of the country in upcoming days (Mondal et al., 2014) and also improve socio-economic condition of farmers. Table 11.Economic analysis of the cropping pattern Mustard- Boro-T. Aus-T. Aman Treatments Gross return of the system Total variable cost Gross margin Marginal product value (MVP) Marginal benefit cost ratio (MBCR) (Tk./ha) T1 346250 40708 305542 104750 2.57 T2 357500 42231 315269 116000 2.75 T3 379000 43252 335748 137500 3.18 T4 368750 42682 326068 127250 2.98 T5 369750 42180 327570 128250 3.04 T6 420000 43703 376297 178500 4.08 T7 316750 30531 286219 75250 2.46 T8 241500 0 241500 - - Urea= 16 Tk kg-1, TSP= 25 Tk kg-1, MoP= 15 Tk kg-1, Gypsum= 12 Tk kg-1, Zinc sulphate= 200 Tk kg-1 T1: 100% STB, T2: T1 + 25% N, T3: T1 + 25% NP, T4: T1 + 25% NK, T5: T1 + 25% PK, T6: T1 + 25% NPK, T7: 75% of T1, T8: control treatment or native fertility. Conclusion Considering the system productivity, and cost and return analysis of the experiment, it may be concluded that 25% extra NPK with 100% STB dose is agronomically feasible and economically profitable for Mustard-Boro-T.Aus-T.Aman cropping pattern in AEZ-11. So, this fertilizer dose may be followed for a remunerative and productive rice based Mustard-Boro-T. Aus-T. Aman cropping system under Jashore region. Further experimentation will be required under different AEZs’ to find out suitable region specific fertilizer packages for this pattern. References Ali, M.R., D.J. Costa, M.A. Sayed, M.A.H. Khanand J.A. Abedin. 2009. Development of fertilizer recommendation for the cropping pattern Potato-Boro-T. Aman in irrigated medium highland condition under AEZ -9. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(1): 41-49. Aziz I, T. Mahmood, K.R. Islam and E. Ashraf. 2013. Estimation of cropping system impacts on C and N status of soil. Int. J. Agric. Appl. Sci. 5(1): 1-7. Barman, A., M.M. Masud, S. Akhter, M.A. Hossain and S. Shome. 2020. Development of fertilizer recommendation of four crops grown under the cropping pattern: Mustard-Boro- T. Aus- T. Aman in AEZ–8. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(2): 113-123. Increasing Crop Productivity of Four Crop Based Cropping Pattern 117 Barman, A., S. Shome, M. J. Alam, S. Akhter and M.A. Hossain. 2019. Fertilizer recommendation for four crop based cropping pattern: Potato- Boro- T. Aus-T. Aman under AEZ–11. Bangladesh Agron. J. 22(1): 71-78. BBS. 2019. Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh. 39th edition. Statistics Division, Ministry of Planning, Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. p.47. Dobermann, A., R. Nelson, D. Beever, D. Bergvinson, E. Crowley, G. Denning, K. Giller, J. d’Arros Hughes, M. Jahn, J. Lynam, W. Masters, R. Naylor, G. Neath, I. Onyido, T. Remington, I. Wrightand and F. Zhang. 2013. Solutions for sustainable agriculture and food systems. Technical report for the post-2015 development agenda. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, New York. Hasan, A.B.M.M., S.M. Shamsuzzaman, H.A.K. Chowdhury, S.M. Rasel, N.H. Khan, M.E. Rahman, M. Mehnaz and A.W. Samsuri. 2017. Effect of different fertilizer packages on the yield and yield attributes on BRRI dhan47 in saline areas. Bangladesh J. Bot. 46(1): 467-472. Hossain, I., M.R.I. Mondal, M.J. Islam, M.A. Aziz, A.S.M.M.R. Khan and F. Begum. 2014. Four crop based cropping pattern studies for increasing cropping intensity and productivity in Rajshahi region of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agron. J. 17(2): 55-60. Islam, M.A., M.J. Islam, M.A. Ali, A.S.M.M.R. Khan, M.F. Hossain and M. Moniruzzaman. 2018. Transforming triple cropping system to four crops pattern: An approach of enhancing system productivity through intensifying land use system in Bangladesh. Int. J. Agon. DOI: pageshttps://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7149835. Mondal, R.I., F. Begum, A. Aziz and S.H. Sharif. 2015. Crop sequences for increasing cropping intensity and productivity. SAARC J. Agril. 13(1): 135- 147. Naher Q., M.R. Amin., M.R. Islam M.A. Ali, A.K. Choudhury, M.K. Hasan and A.S.M.M.R. Khan. 2016. Location specific climate resilient agricultural technologies in Bangladesh. OFRD (On- Farm Research Division), BARI, Bangladesh. pp.37-38. Parvin, N., A. Khatun, M.K. Quais and M. Nasim. 2017. Cropping Pattern, Intensity and Diversity in Dhaka Region. Bangladesh Rice J. 21(2): 123-141. Saha, P.K., F. Rahman, M. Akter, R. Islam, A.T.M.S. Hossain and M.G. Ali. 2016. Integrated nutrient management for Potato-Maize-T. Aman rice cropping pattern in Bangladesh. Rice J. 20(1): 51-58. Sultana, J., M.N.A. Siddique and M.R. Abdullah. 2015. Fertilizer recommendation for Agriculture: practice, practicalities and adaptation in Bangladesh and Netherlands. Int. J. Bus. Manag. Soc. Res. 1(1): 21-40. file:///C:\Users\Dell\Downloads\39th