Assessment of profitability, sustainability, and system productivity of conservation agriculture-based crop diversification in light soils of Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

In the light soils of Prakasam district, this investigation assesses the efficacy of conservation agriculture (CA)-based crop diversification systems that incorporate redgram and millets under various residue management practices. Four cropping systems were assessed: sole redgram, solitary bajra, redgram + foxtail millet, cowpea (Rabi season). Each system was subjected to three management practices: conventional ploughing (CP), above-ground biomass incorporation (BI), and incorporation with microbial solution (BIM) for decomposition. Indicators of sustainability, profitability, and productivity were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed the results indicated that intercropping systems under BIM had substantially higher yields, soil organic carbon, and net returns.