Yield potential and economics of elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)+greengram (Vigna radiata) intercropping system as influenced by mulching and fertilizer levels.

摘要

Field experiments were conducted in Orissa, India, from 2003-04 to 2005-06, in an acid laterite soil under rainfed conditions, to assess the yield potential and economics of elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) + green gram (Vigna radiata) intercropping under varying levels of fertilizer and mulching. Application of 2 t/ha dried farm waste as mulch increased elephant foot yam yield by 21.6% over the no mulch treatment. However, no effect was found on green gram. Increasing the fertilizer levels beyond N:P:K at 80:60:80 kg/ha did not increase significantly the elephant foot yam tuber yield, green gram grain yield and tuber equivalent yield. The maximum gross returns (Rs 107 575) was obtained with the application of N:P:K at 120:90:120 kg/ha along with mulching. However, the application of N:P:K at 100:75:100 kg/ha along with mulching registered higher net returns (Rs 53 785) owing to lesser cost of cultivation. Production efficiency (kg/ha/day) followed similar trends of gross returns and the maximum production efficiency (512.3 kg/ha/day) was found with the application of N:P:K at 120:90:120 kg/ha along with mulching. The benefit:cost ratio analysis revealed that the maximum benefit:cost ratio was found with the application of N:P:K at 80:60:80 kg/ha along with mulching (2.02).