Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 11 No. sp4 (2024): Recent Advances in Agriculture by Young Minds - I

Assessment of mechanized sown cotton-based intercropping systems: Impact on yield, efficiency and profitability

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.5071
Submitted
15 September 2024
Published
29-11-2024
Versions

Abstract

Cotton, a valuable cash crop from the Gossypium genus, significantly contributes to the national economy. A primary challenge in cotton cultivation is the high labor demand for sowing. As labor shortages grow, sowing machinery has emerged as a viable alternative, decreasing labor expenses and operating duration. However, machine sowing requires wider inter-row spacing, and cotton's slow initial vegetative growth presents an opportunity to incorporate suitable intercrops. This technique optimizes resource utilization and offers potential supplementary income from intercropping in the event of primary cotton crop failure due to natural disasters. This study aims to identify suitable intercropping systems under mechanized sowing conditions to enhance yield, competitive indices, energy efficiency, and economic viability, supporting sustainable farmer incomes. The experiment employed a split-plot design with two main plots, five subplots, and three replications. Results showed that machine sowing was more profitable than manual sowing, reducing cultivation costs by 19.6% and increasing net returns by 22.7%, with a per-day return of 22.6%. Among intercropping systems, cotton + maize demonstrated superior performance, achieving significantly higher cotton-equivalent yield (22.2%), land equivalent ratio (32.0%), area-time equivalent ratio (21.0%), energy use efficiency (57.4%), energy productivity (63.5%), and net return (29.6%) compared to sole cotton. The study concluded that cotton + maize intercropping under mechanized sowing conditions improves yield, competitive indices, energy, and economic efficiency, enhancing overall farm productivity.

References

  1. Manibharathi S, Somasundaram S, Parasuraman P, Subramanian A, Ravichandran V, Manikanda Boopathi N. Exploring the impact of high density planting system and deficit irrigation in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.): A comprehensive review. J Cotton Res. 2024;7(1):28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42397-024-00190-1
  2. Jayakumar M, Surendran U, Manickasundaram P. Drip fertigation program on growth, crop productivity, water and fertilizer-use efficiency of BT cotton in semi-arid tropical region of India. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal. 2015;46(3):293-304. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2014.969403
  3. Meyer LA. Cotton and wool outlook: December 2021 [Internet]. Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service; 2021 [cited 2024 Aug 17]. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/outlooks/102828/cws-21k.pdf
  4. ICAR-AICRP (Cotton). Annual report (2023–24) [Internet]. Nagpur: Central Institute for Cotton Research; 2024 [cited 2024 Aug 10]. Available from: https://icar-cicr.org.in/cicr-annual-report/
  5. Vaiyapuri K. Studies on intercropping unconventional green manures in irrigated hybrid cotton [doctoral thesis on the Internet]. Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University; 2004 [cited 2024 Jul 15]. Available from: http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810022483
  6. Pandey A, Vadher AL, Kathiria RK, Gaikwad SA, Choudhary J. Comparative analysis of traditional method and mechanical method of cotton sowing. Pantnagar J Res. 2022;20(3):500-06. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.29089.68969
  7. Mhasaye VA, Patil CV. Design and development of manually operated cotton seed planter. J Emerg Technol Innov Res. 2019;6(4):199-206.
  8. Rajput S, Shinde S, Chaudhari H, Somvanshi M, Koli TA. Automatic cotton seed sowing machine. Int J Innov Eng Sci. 2021;6(10):112-15. https://doi.org/10.46335/IJIES.2021.6.10.23
  9. Zhang W, Liu Q, Zeng Q, Cai, Feng Y, Lu T. Effects of different row spacings on boll characteristics and fiber quality of machine picked cotton[J]. Crops. 2021; 37(2):147-152. https://doi.org/10.16035/j.issn.1001-7283.2021.02.021
  10. Escobar JC, Lora ES, Venturini OJ, Yáñez EE, Castillo EF, Almazan O. Biofuels: Environment, technology and food security. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2009;13(6-7):1275-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2008.08.014
  11. Budzynski WS, Jankowski KJ, Jarocki M. An analysis of the energy efficiency of winter rapeseed biomass under different farming technologies. A case study of a large-scale farm in Poland. Energy. 2015;90:1272-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.06.087
  12. Mohammadi A, Tabatabaeefar A, Shahin S, Rafiee S, Keyhani A. Energy use and economical analysis of potato production in Iran a case study: Ardabil province. Energy Conv Manag. 2008;49(12):3566-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2008.07.003
  13. Moreno MM, Lacasta C, Meco R, Moreno C. Rainfed crop energy balance of different farming systems and crop rotations in a semi-arid environment: Results of a long-term trial. Soil Till Res. 2011;114(1):18-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2011.03.006
  14. Hamzei J, Seyyedi M. Energy use and input–output costs for sunflower production in sole and intercropping with soybean under different tillage systems. Soil Till Res. 2016;157:73-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2015.11.008
  15. Karthika M, Rekha KB, Sudhakar KS, Rajaiah P, Madhavi A, Triveni S. The planter performance under varied seed rate and nutrient management in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Indian J Agric Sci. 2023;93(12):1350-55. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v93i12.132074
  16. Thirukumaran K, Nagarajan K, Vadivel N, Saitheja V, Manivannan V, Prabukumar G, et al. Enhancing cotton production and sustainability through multi-tier cropping systems: growth, efficiency and profitability analysis. Agronomy. 2024;14(5):1049. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051049
  17. Stomph T, Dordas C, Baranger A, de Rijk J, Dong B, Evers J, et al. Designing intercrops for high yield, yield stability and efficient use of resources: Are there principles? Adv Agron. 2020;160(1):1-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.agron.2019.10.002
  18. Sankaranarayanan K, Nalayini P, Praharaj CS. Multi-tier cropping system to enhance resource utilization, profitablity and sustainablity of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production system. Indian J Agric Sci. 2012;82(12):1044-50. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v82i12.26252
  19. Singh A, Singh T. Effect of preceding intercrops in BT cotton on the productivity of succeeding wheat crop and total system productivity. Agric Res J. 2016;53(3):350-54. https://doi.org/10.5958/2395-146X.2016.00067.3
  20. Hatcher PE, Melander B. Combining physical, cultural and biological methods: Prospects for integrated non-chemical weed management strategies. Weed Res. 2003;43(5):303-22. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3180.2003.00352.x
  21. Snider J, Harris G, Roberts P, Meeks C, Chastain D, Bange M, Virk G. Cotton physiological and agronomic response to nitrogen application rate. Field Crops Res. 2021;270:108194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2021.108194
  22. Gao F, Wang L, Xie Y, Sun J, Ning H, Han Q, et al. Optimizing canopy structure through equal row spacing and appropriate irrigation enhances machine-harvested seed cotton yield and quality. Ind Crops Prod. 2024;216:118799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.118799
  23. Anonymous. TNAU- Agritech Portal [Internet]. Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University; 2024 [cited 2024 Aug 15]. Available from: https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/
  24. Veeraputhiran R, Sankaranarayanan K. Weed-smothering efficiency and cotton equivalent productivity of Bt cotton based intercropping systems. Indian J Weed Sci. 2021;53(4):436-39. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-8164.2021.00081.2
  25. Willey RW, Osiru DS. Studies on mixtures of maize and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) with particular reference to plant population. J Agric Sci. 1972;79(3):517-29. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600025909
  26. Mead R, Willey R. The concept of a ‘land equivalent ratio’ and advantages in yields from intercropping. Exp Agric. 1980;16(3):217-28. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479700010978
  27. Zhang G, Yang Z, Dong S. Interspecific competitiveness affects the total biomass yield in an alfalfa and corn intercropping system. Field crops Res. 2011;124(1):66-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2011.06.006
  28. Hiebsch CK, McCollum RE. Area x time equivalency ratio-a method for evaluating the productivity of intercrops-reply. Agron J. 1987;79(5):945-46. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1987.00021962007900050039x
  29. McGilchrist CA. Analysis of competition experiments. Biom. 1965;975-85. https://doi.org/10.2307/2528258
  30. Willey RW, Rao MR. A competitive ratio for quantifying competition between intercrops. Exp Agric. 1980;16(2):117-25. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479700010802
  31. Maitra S, Hossain A, Brestic M, Skalicky M, Ondrisik P, Gitari H, et al. Intercropping-A low input agricultural strategy for food and environmental security. Agronomy. 2021;11(2):343. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020343
  32. Martinez E, Marcillo-Paguay CA, Revelo-Gomez EG, Cuervo M, Igua-Urbano EP. Effect of flowering strips in associated broccoli and lettuce crops on increasing land use efficiency. Sustainability. 2024;16(11):4436. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114436
  33. De Wit CT, Ennik GC, van den Bergh JP, Sonneveld A. Competition and non-persistency as factors affecting the composition of mixed crops and swards. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Grassland Congress; 1960. p. 736–741.
  34. Mittal JP, Dhawan KC. Energy parameters for raising crops under various irrigation treatments in Indian agriculture. Agric Ecosyst Environ. 1989;25(1):11-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(89)90060-1
  35. Jat RS, Singh D, Jat ML, Singh VV, Singh HV, Sharma P, Rai PK. Agronomic evaluation of mustard planter for enhancing production efficiency of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). Indian J Agric Sci. 2021;91(8):1210-14. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v91i8.115878
  36. Gomez KA, Gomez AA. Statistical procedures for agricultural research. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1984. p. 680.
  37. Jin X, Li Q, Zhao K, Zhao B, He Z, Qiu Z. Development and test of an electric precision seeder for small-size vegetable seeds. Int J Agric Biol Eng. 2019;12(2):75-81.
  38. Xie W, Zhang K, Wang X, Zou X, Zhang X, Yu X, et al. Peanut and cotton intercropping increases productivity and economic returns through regulating plant nutrient accumulation and soil microbial communities. BMC Plant Biol. 2022;22(1):121. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-022-03506-y
  39. Chaudhari DT, Vekariya PD, Vora VD, Talpada MM, Sutaria GS. Enhancing productivity of groundnut based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions of Gujarat. Legume Res. 2017;40(3):520-25. https://doi.org/10.18805/lr.v0i0.7849
  40. Zhu SG, Zhu H, Zhou R, Zhang W, Wang W, Zhou YN, et al. Intercrop overyielding weakened by high inputs: Global meta-analysis with experimental validation. Agric Ecosyst Environ. 2023;342:108239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2022.108239
  41. Doubi BT, Kouassi KI, Kouakou KL, Koffi KK, Baudoin JP, Zoro BI. Existing competitive indices in the intercropping system of Manihot esculenta Crantz and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley. J Plant Interact. 2016;11(1):178-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/17429145.2016.1266042
  42. Rajpoot SK, Rana DS, Choudhary AK. Bt-cotton–vegetable-based intercropping systems as influenced by crop establishment method and planting geometry of Bt-cotton in Indo-Gangetic plains region. Curr Sci. 2018;115(3):516-22.
  43. Brennan EB. Agronomy of strip intercropping broccoli with alyssum for biological control of aphids. Biol Control. 2016;97:109-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2016.02.015
  44. Chi B, Zhang Y, Zhang D, Zhang X, Dai J, Dong H. Wide-strip intercropping of cotton and peanut combined with strip rotation increases crop productivity and economic returns. Field Crops Res. 2019;243:107617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2019.107617
  45. Yilmaz I, Akcaoz H, Ozkan B. An analysis of energy use and input costs for cotton production in Turkey. Renew Energy. 2005;30(2):145-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2004.06.001
  46. Firouzi S, Nikkhah A, Rosentrater KA. An integrated analysis of non-renewable energy use, GHG emissions, carbon efficiency of groundnut sole cropping and groundnut-bean intercropping agro-ecosystems. Environ Prog Sustain Energy. 2017;36(6):1832-39. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.12621
  47. Mondal M, Garai S, Banerjee H, Sarkar S, Kundu R. Mulching and nitrogen management in peanut cultivation: An evaluation of productivity, energy trade-off, carbon footprint and profitability. Energ Ecol Environ. 2021;6:133-47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-020-00189-9
  48. Kumar S, Singh VK, Shekhawat K, Upadhyay PK, Dwivedi BS, Rathore SS, et al. Enhancing productivity, economics and energy efficiency through precision nitrogen and water management in conservation agriculture-based maize (Zea mays) in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Indian J Agric Sci. 2024;94(3):333-36. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v94i3.145735
  49. Hoque MA, Gathala MK. Improvement of power tiller operated seeder for maize planting. Fundam Appl Agric. 2018;3(2):474-79. https://doi.org/10.5455/faa.293468
  50. Gangurde SS, Kumar R, Pandey AK, Burow M, Laza HE, Nayak SN, et al. Climate-smart groundnuts for achieving high productivity and improved quality: Current status, challenges, and opportunities. In: Kole C, editor. Genomic designing of climate-smart oilseed crops. Cham: Springer; 2021. p. 133–172. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93536-2_3

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.