Vertical cropping to enhance productivity and profitability of dry terraces in North Eastern Indian Himalayas

Abstract

Land terracing is a vital means to minimize soil erosion in steep slopes of north eastern region of India. Monocropping of turmeric is one of the main production systems in these terraces, resulting in poor land productivity and profitability. Hence, a fixed plot field experiment was undertaken during five consecutive years (2012–17) at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya by involving five vertical cropping combinations, viz. turmeric (Curcuma longa)+cucumber (Cucumis sativus), turmeric+bottlegourd (Lagenaria siceraria), turmeric+sponge gourd (Luffa aegyptiaca), turmeric+squash (Sechium edule) and turmeric sole (open cultivation) to find out the best cucurbits for vertical integration with turmeric for efficient utilization of natural resources and profit maximization. Results revealed that integration of bottle gourd with turmeric in vertical fashion recorded the maximum system productivity (33.94 t/ha), profitability (` 1308 ha/day) and B:C ratio (3.37). Over all, vertical integration of cucurbits increased 38.52% yield of turmeric over open cultivation. Maximum enhancement in soil organic carbon (SOC) (2.18%), available N (241 kg/ha), P (22.2 kg/ha) and K (194.7 kg/ha) were recorded when squash was integrated with turmeric followed by turmeric + bottlegourd vertical cropping system. Integration of cucurbits with turmeric improves soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) level by 9.85% over the open cultivation of turmeric in dry terraces. Hence, vertical integration of cucurbits with turmeric not only enhances the system productivity and monetary returns of dry terraces but also improves the soil fertility status over open cultivation of turmeric.

Residual effect of maize (Zea mays) + blackgram (Vigna mungo) intercropping on growth, factor productivity and resource-use efficiency of succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum) under integrated crop management

“…At the same time, cropping has no significant effect on harvest index of wheat. Nitrogen release from decomposition of legume root nodules, solubilization of insoluble P, improved soil physical environment, soil organic carbon, soil microbial activity played synergistic role in improving wheat productivity under MBWCS (Nair et al, 1979;Ghosh et al, 2007;Panwar et al, 2021).…”

Constraints in Ginger Cultivation by Farmers of West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya

“…Most of the ginger area (49%) and production (72%) of India is contributed by the northeastern region (NER) of India, thus making the region as ginger hub of the country (Panwar et al, 2019). Ginger is grown in almost all the states of the region but the leading states are Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim (Rymbai et al, 2018).…”

Integrated Farming Systems; Current Status, Scope and Future Prospects under Indian Perspective

“…The vertical intensification of agricultural production system through diversification of agrientrepreneurs is warranted need to achieve self sufficiency in cereals, pulses, milk, fruit, honey, egg, vegetables and meat for humans and feed, fodder for animals, without degradation of natural resource base and to achieve hospitable environment for all farmers and species of life on earth (Panwar et al, 2019). Under the current scenario, intelligent management of available resources, including optimum allocation of resource, is important to alleviate the risk related to land sustainability.…”