Diversification of traditional cropping system for sustainable production

To meet out the demand of the specific commodities by sustaining the crop p roductivity and soil fertility, there is need to diversify the traditional rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat [Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.] se quence that occupies 60-70% of the total cultivated area in eastern Uttar P radesh. The findings of field trials, conducted for 4 years at the Universi ty Research Farm, Faizabad, revealed that among the six cropping systems te sted, rice-potato (Solanum uberosum L.)-cowpea. [Vigna unguiculata (L.) War p.] provided the highest net profit of Rs 21,154/ha/yr and rice grain/equiv alent yield of 22.55 t/ha besides the fertility benefit of legume crop. The second remunerative system was rice-potato-okra (seed), that showed the ri ce-equivalent yield potential of 20.02 t/ha and net profit of Rs 17,612/ha/ yr due to vegetable cash crop.