Profitability of cropping systems module for different farming systems in Southern Telangana zone of Telangana state

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the year 2017-18 at college farm, AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems unit, PJTSAU, Hyderabad to identify the profitable cropping systems for different farming systems under I.D situation in light textured soils of Southern Telangana Zone (STZ), Telangana. Among the ten cropping systems tested, sweet corn – vegetable system (tomato) was found to be more remunerative with B:C ratio 3.60 followed by okra –marigold - beetroot system with B:C ratio 2.85. Among the ecological cropping systems for improving soil health, Bt cotton + greengram (1:3) - groundnut cropping system was recorded significantly higher rice grain equivalent yield (13,293 kg ha-1) and net returns (1,17,048 Rs ha-1) compared to pigeonpea + greengram (1:7) – sesame cropping system. Out of the two systems tested to meet the household nutritional security, pigeonpea + maize (1:3) – groundnut system recorded higher rice grain equivalent yield (13850 kg ha-1) with higher net returns (123506 Rs ha-1). Within the two fodder crops/cropping systems, fodder maize – lucerne system was resulted in higher B:C ratio (1.61). Rice - maize and Bt cotton which were the pre-dominant cropping systems of the region wherein rice – maize system recorded comparatively higher B:C ratio (1.28) than Bt cotton (1.08).