GRAIN-YIELD AND ECONOMIC RETURNS UNDER VARYING CROP SEQUENCES AND LEVELS OF RAINY-SEASON AND WINTER-SEASON IRRIGATIONS

An experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi ) seasons of 1985-86 and 1986-87 to evaluate the productivity in terms of rice (Oryza sativa L.)-equivalent yield and net returns as a funct ion of crop sequences and levels of kharif and rabi irrigations. The m aximum overall productivity in terms of rice-equivalent yield and net return were affected significantly by crop sequences and the levels of kharif and rabi irrigations. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-wheat ( triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) recorded maximum rice-equiv alent yield, followed by rice-lentil (Lens cultinaris Medikus) sequenc e. Maize (Zea mays L.)-wheat had the least rice-equivalent yield durin g 1985-86, through it was a par with rice-wheat during 1986-87. Maximu m rice-equivalent yield was obtained in the combination of highest lev els of kharif and rabi irrigations. Soybean-wheat proved the best sequ ence under lowest levels of kharif and rabi irrigations, both from the point of view of net return and benefit : cost ration.