ASSESSMENT OF AGRONOMIC BENEFITS OF MIXED CROPPING SYSTEM AND SOIL HEALTH

Abstract

Diversified cropping systems are also a major economic activity to those in rural areas, providing principal food for majority of people and affecting their livelihoods and health of urban and rural poor. Cropping system is a producer’s map of their approach to production. Intensive cropping systems in irrigated areas of Punjab are cotton-wheat, ricewheat and mixed cropping systems having wheat as an essential crop. The mixed cropping system does not appear to give its economic potential during kharif period. A research work was planned to develop a cropping system under the prevailing conditions of Faisalabad, Punjab where mixed cropping system has been adopted by most of the farmers. Maize, Rice, Sunflower, Mungbean, Sarson (mustard), Wheat, Barley, Cotton, Gram, Millet, Berseem, Sesame and Jantar were grown. Randomized complete block design was used in the research with three replications. All the agronomic parameters were observed during this study and analyzed by statistics computer program. The variances among significant means were assessed by Least Significant Difference test at 5% probability level. Results showed that yield and growth of key crops like wheat, cotton, maize, millet, rice and sunflower is increased when grown after legume and restorative crops. Growth and yield of major crops like cotton, maize, wheat, millet, sunflower and rice is decreased when grown after non- legume and exhaustive crops. Nutrients contents in soil after harvesting increased after growing the legume and restorative crops. More net profit and benefit cost ratio was shown by S1 cropping systems.