Effect of Different Farming Practices on Productivity, Profitability and Produce Quality of Black Gram-Garden Pea Cropping Sequence

Abstract

Continuous and imbalanced use of costly chemical fertilizers as a source of nutrients in mid hill farming systems has led to decreased nutrient use efficiency which results in either yield stagnation or decrease in yield. Alternative low-input farming practices have emerged in pockets across the world promising reduced input costs and higher yields for farmers, chemical-free food for consumers and improved soil fertility. The present study was carried out during 2018-19 and 2019-20 on black gram-garden pea cropping system, wherein eight different farming practices were evaluated in RBD. The results revealed significantly higher grain and straw yield, and quality of produce with recommended NPK+FYM (soil test based fertilizer application) over other farming practices. The economic analysis of black gram and garden pea showed that, though the highest net returns were obtained from treatment wherein 50% NPK + 50% FYM (integrated) was applied, however, highest benefit cost ratio was recorded in treatment sole application of NPK in both the crops during both years of study.