India faces the challenge of a burgeoning population and increasing demand for food, fibre and fuel. Crop intensification is a well-recognized solution for increasing productivity in a system (Gangwar and Katyal, 2001). Food of the future, potato holds a potential for higher quantity and quality produce per unit area besides spanning over a short duration of 60-80 days (Rawal et al, 2003). Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, particularly Mandsaur and Neemuch districts, experience acute water scarcity during summer every year. The region largely grows soybean in kharif, and wheat, gram, garlic and onion in the rabi season. Generally, two crops are taken a year which not only limits productivity of a system, but also its land-utilization efficiency. Hence, a need is felt for crop intensification and diversification to make farming sustainable and economically viable. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate different crop sequences in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. A study was conducted to evaluate different crop sequences under limited period of irrigation at farmers’ fields Short communication Evaluation of potato-based crop sequences for crop diversification in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh S.S. Kushwah, O.P. Singh1 and B.S. Gupta2 Department of Vegetable Science College of Horticulture, Mandsaur – 458001, India E-mail : kushwahhort@rediffmail.com ABSTRACT A study was conducted to evaluate different crop sequences under limited-period irrigation conditions at farmers’ fields in four villages of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh during 2007-08. Six crop sequences, viz., Soybean-Garlic, Soybean-Onion, Soybean-Wheat, Soybean-Potato, Green gram-Radish-Potato and Green gram-Potato-Wheat were compared. Results revealed that crop sequence had remarkable influence on various competition indices. Highest potato equivalent yield (506.25q/ha) was recorded in green-gram- radish-potato crop sequence, followed by soybean- garlic, green-gram-potato-wheat and soybean-potato crop sequences. Land Utilization Index (LUI) was highest in green-gram-potato-wheat crop sequence and minimum in soybean-garlic and soybean-potato (both at 0.64) crop sequences. Green-gram-radish-potato crop sequence attained highest production efficiency (200.89kg/ha per day). Highest cost of input, output and net returns were obtained in greengram-radish-potato crop sequence whereas, Cost: Benefit ratio was maximum under soybean-onion crop sequence, followed by soybean-wheat and green-gram-radish- potato sequence. Key words: Limited irrigation, crop diversification, crop sequence, potato in four villages of Malwa (Mandsaur-Neemuch) region, Madhya Pradesh, during 2007-08. Six crop sequences, viz., Soybean (JS-71-05)-Garlic (G-1), Soybean (JS-335)-Onion (Agrifound Light Red), Soybean (JS-335)-Wheat (WH-147), Soybean (JS-335)-Potato (Kufri. Jyoti), Green gram (JM- 721)-Radish (Japanese White)-Potato (Kufri. Laukar), Green gram (JM-721)-Potato (Kufri. Jyoti)-Wheat (Lok-1) were compared in randomized block design with four replications. Varieties were selected on the basis of their suitability to fit into the crop sequence and their adaptability in the region, and, acceptance among farmers. Standard package of practices was followed to raise the crops. Potato crop in the Green gram–Potato–Wheat crop sequence was harvested on 18th December, without allowing maturing and curing after dehaulming in the field so that wheat crop could be sown by 25th December. Yield of various crops was recorded and converted into potato equivalents on the basis of price (Govindakrishnan et al, 1990). Land Utilization Index (LUI) was calculated by dividing the total number of days different crops of a sequence remained in the field in a period 1Department of Plant Physiology 2Department of Extension Education J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 6(2):166-168, 2011 Prinect Color Editor Page is color controlled with Prinect Color Editor 4.0.70 Copyright 2008 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG http://www.heidelberg.com You can view actual document colors and color spaces, with the free Color Editor (Viewer), a Plug-In from the Prinect PDF Toolbox. Please request a PDF Toolbox CD from your local Heidelberg office in order to install it on your computer. Applied Color Management Settings: Output Intent (Press Profile): GrayCoated_hdm.icc RGB Image: Profile: eciRGB.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no RGB Graphic: Profile: eciRGB.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no CMYK Image: Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Preserve Black: no CMYK Graphic: Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Preserve Black: no Device Independent RGB/Lab Image: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent RGB/Lab Graphic: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent CMYK/Gray Image: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent CMYK/Gray Graphic: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Turn R=G=B (Tolerance 0.5%) Graphic into Gray: yes Turn C=M=Y,K=0 (Tolerance 0.1%) Graphic into Gray: no CMM for overprinting CMYK graphic: no Gray Image: Apply CMYK Profile: no Gray Graphic: Apply CMYK Profile: no Treat Calibrated RGB as Device RGB: no Treat Calibrated Gray as Device Gray: yes Remove embedded non-CMYK Profiles: no Remove embedded CMYK Profiles: yes Applied Miscellaneous Settings: Colors to knockout: yes Gray to knockout: yes Pure black to overprint: no Turn Overprint CMYK White to Knockout: yes Turn Overprinting Device Gray to K: no CMYK Overprint mode: set to OPM1 if not set Create "All" from 4x100% CMYK: no Delete "All" Colors: no Convert "All" to K: no 167 spanning 365-days. Production efficiency was calculated by dividing Potato Equivalent Yield (PEY) by total number of days held by different crops of a sequence in the field. Economic analysis was carried out on the basis of cost of different inputs and produce prevalent in the region at the time of the experiment. Formulae used for calculation of Potato equivalent Yield (q/ha) and Production Efficiency (kg/day/ha) are given below: Yield of the produce (q/ha) X Price of the produce (`./q) Potato Equivalent Yield (PEY) (q/ha) = ------------------------------------------------------- Price of potato (`./q) Potato Equivalent Yield Production efficiency (kg/day/ha) = ------------------------------------------------------- Duration of the sequence (days) Results revealed that crop sequences had a remarkable influence on various competition indices. Highest PEY (506.25q/ha) was recorded with green-gram–radish- potato crop sequence, followed by soybean-garlic, green- gram-potato-wheat and soybean-potato crop sequences. Soybean-wheat crop sequence yielded lowest (119.33q/ha) PEY. Higher yield of potato due to longer crop duration than in potato crop under green-gram-potato-wheat crop sequence, higher prices of green gram; and, inclusion of short duration radish crop all resulted in superior performance of green-gram-radish-potato crop sequence compared to other crop sequences. Similar positive effect of crop duration on tuber yield has also been reported by Praharaj et al (2001). Chatrath and Singh (2010) found delay in sowing to have a negative impact on wheat yield. Land Utilization Index (LUI) was highest in green-gram-potato- wheat crop sequence, and minimum with soybean-garlic and soybean-potato (both 0.64) crop sequences. Rest of the crop sequences showed LUI in the range of 0.68-0.70. Production efficiency of a cropping sequence can form a good criterion for selection, particularly under conditions of limited period irrigation. Data (Table 1) showed that green-gram-radish- potato crop sequence attained highest production efficiency (200.89 kg/ha/day), followed by soybean-garlic (170.52 kg/ ha/day), soybean-potato (156.89 kg/ha/day) and soybean- onion (142.10 kg/ha/day). Soybean-wheat crop sequence showed lowest production efficiency. Data on cost of input and output (Table 2) showed that maximum expenditure was incurred on green-gram-radish-potato crop sequence, followed by soybean–garlic and, minimum under soybean- wheat crop sequence. Higher cost of seed and greater requirement of labour under these crop sequences could be a reason for the higher cost of inputs. Maximum output was realized under green-gram-radish-potato crop sequence, followed by soybean-garlic. Similarly, highest net return was Table 1. Effect of cropping sequence on various competition indices Crop sequence Yield (q/ha) Potato Land Production 1st crop 2nd crop 3rd crop Equivalent Utilization efficiency Yield (q/ha) Index (LUI) (kg/ha/day) Soybean - Garlic 21.3 95.3 - 397.31 0.64 170.52 Soybean - Onion 23.5 312.6 - 356.66 0.68 142.10 Soybean - Wheat 24.6 48.8 - 119.33 0.70 46.80 Soybean - Potato 24.1 275.5 - 368.69 0.64 156.89 Green gram - Radish-Potato 15.2 133.4 263.5 506.25 0.69 200.89 Green gram - Potato -Wheat 14.8 248.7 33.5 372.95 0.78 130.85 SEm ± 15.05 CD (P=0.05) 45.34 Table 2. Cost of input, output and net returns under different cropping sequences Crop sequence Input (Rs./ha) cost Output (Rs./ha) Total Net *C:B ratio Return (Rs/ha) 1st crop 2nd crop 3rd crop Total 1st crop 2ndcrop 3rdcrop Total Soybean - Garlic 7950 73500 - 81450 31950 285900 - 317850 236400 1 : 3.90 Soybean - Onion 7950 41530 - 49480 35250 250080 - 285330 235850 1 : 5.77 Soybean - Wheat 7950 12650 - 20600 36900 58560 - 95460 74260 1 : 4.50 Soybean - Potato 7950 55310 - 63260 36150 258800 - 294950 193290 1 : 3.06 Green-gram- Radish - Potato 4560 31950 55310 91820 52800 121400 230800 405000 313180 1 : 4.41 Green-gram - Potato -Wheat 4560 55310 12650 72520 51200 202160 45000 298360 225840 1 : 4.11 Expenditure includes cost of all inputs used for raising the crop, e.g., seed, fertilizer, labour etc. prevailing at the time of study. For calculating economics under different crop sequences, grain/bulb/root/tuber yield was considered. Prevailing prices of soybean, garlic, onion, wheat, potato, green gram and radish were: Rs. 15, 30, 8, 12, 8, 40 and 10 per kilogram, respectively *C:B = Cost:Benefit Potato-based crop sequences J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 6(2):166-168, 2011 Prinect Color Editor Page is color controlled with Prinect Color Editor 4.0.70 Copyright 2008 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG http://www.heidelberg.com You can view actual document colors and color spaces, with the free Color Editor (Viewer), a Plug-In from the Prinect PDF Toolbox. Please request a PDF Toolbox CD from your local Heidelberg office in order to install it on your computer. Applied Color Management Settings: Output Intent (Press Profile): GrayCoated_hdm.icc RGB Image: Profile: eciRGB.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no RGB Graphic: Profile: eciRGB.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no CMYK Image: Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Preserve Black: no CMYK Graphic: Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Preserve Black: no Device Independent RGB/Lab Image: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent RGB/Lab Graphic: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent CMYK/Gray Image: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent CMYK/Gray Graphic: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Turn R=G=B (Tolerance 0.5%) Graphic into Gray: yes Turn C=M=Y,K=0 (Tolerance 0.1%) Graphic into Gray: no CMM for overprinting CMYK graphic: no Gray Image: Apply CMYK Profile: no Gray Graphic: Apply CMYK Profile: no Treat Calibrated RGB as Device RGB: no Treat Calibrated Gray as Device Gray: yes Remove embedded non-CMYK Profiles: no Remove embedded CMYK Profiles: yes Applied Miscellaneous Settings: Colors to knockout: yes Gray to knockout: yes Pure black to overprint: no Turn Overprint CMYK White to Knockout: yes Turn Overprinting Device Gray to K: no CMYK Overprint mode: set to OPM1 if not set Create "All" from 4x100% CMYK: no Delete "All" Colors: no Convert "All" to K: no 168 with green-gram-radish-potato crop sequence, followed by soybean–garlic crop sequence. Soybean–wheat crop sequence resulted in lowest net return. Cost:Benefit ratio showed maximum receipt per rupee invested under soybean-onion crop sequence, followed by soybean-wheat and green-gram-radish-potato crop sequences. It is important to note that, presently, soybean-garlic and soybean-onion are popular crop sequences in the region. These can beneficially replaced with green-gram-radish-potato and soybean-potato crop sequences, respectively for better returns. REFERENCES Chatrath, R. and Singh, S.K. 2010. Productivity improvement in rice-wheat cropping system. Ind. Farming, 60:12-17 Gangwar, B. and Katyal, V. 2001. Productivity, stability and profitability of rice (Oryza sativa)- based crop sequences in West Bengal and Orissa. Ind. J. Agron., 46:387-394 Govindakrishnan, P.M., Upadhyay, N.C., Grewal, J.S. and Premchand. 1990. An analysis of potato based crop sequences. Ind. J. Agron., 35:40-43 Praharaj, C.S., Kumar, D., Sharma, R.C. and Paul Khurana, S.M. 2001. Potato-wheat-paddy: A new emerging alternative crop rotation for Indo-Gangetic plains. J. Ind. Potato Assoc., 28:44-45 Rawal, S., Lal, S.S., Singh, B.P., Paul Khurana, S.M. and Kumar, P. 2003. Evaluation of potato, rice and wheat varieties for rice-potato-wheat system. J. Ind. Potato Assoc., 30:95-96 (MS Received 14 March 2011, Revised 16 July 2011) Kushwah et al J. Hortl. Sci. Vol. 6(2):166-168, 2011 Prinect Color Editor Page is color controlled with Prinect Color Editor 4.0.70 Copyright 2008 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG http://www.heidelberg.com You can view actual document colors and color spaces, with the free Color Editor (Viewer), a Plug-In from the Prinect PDF Toolbox. Please request a PDF Toolbox CD from your local Heidelberg office in order to install it on your computer. Applied Color Management Settings: Output Intent (Press Profile): GrayCoated_hdm.icc RGB Image: Profile: eciRGB.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no RGB Graphic: Profile: eciRGB.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no CMYK Image: Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Preserve Black: no CMYK Graphic: Profile: ISOcoated_v2_eci.icc Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Preserve Black: no Device Independent RGB/Lab Image: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent RGB/Lab Graphic: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent CMYK/Gray Image: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Device Independent CMYK/Gray Graphic: Rendering Intent: Perceptual Black Point Compensation: no Turn R=G=B (Tolerance 0.5%) Graphic into Gray: yes Turn C=M=Y,K=0 (Tolerance 0.1%) Graphic into Gray: no CMM for overprinting CMYK graphic: no Gray Image: Apply CMYK Profile: no Gray Graphic: Apply CMYK Profile: no Treat Calibrated RGB as Device RGB: no Treat Calibrated Gray as Device Gray: yes Remove embedded non-CMYK Profiles: no Remove embedded CMYK Profiles: yes Applied Miscellaneous Settings: Colors to knockout: yes Gray to knockout: yes Pure black to overprint: no Turn Overprint CMYK White to Knockout: yes Turn Overprinting Device Gray to K: no CMYK Overprint mode: set to OPM1 if not set Create "All" from 4x100% CMYK: no Delete "All" Colors: no Convert "All" to K: no