Response of improved resource levels over traditional practices on the productivity and economics of different cropping sequences

The field experiment was conducted for four consecutive years of 1993-94 to 1996-97 to evaluate the productivity of different cropping sequences, viz groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) - wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol.) + mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj Br Cosson), blackgram (Phase olus mungo L.) - wheat + mustard and maize (Zea mays L.) - berseem (Trifoli um alexandrinum L.) under farmers and improved resource levels. Data reveal ed that improved resource levels substantially influenced the crop yield of almost all the sequences. Computation of wheat equivalent yields showed th at maize - berseem sequence secured the highest wheat-equivalent yield (mea n 94.6 tonnes/ha) followed by blackgram - wheat + mustard (82.9 tonnes/ha). Improved resource levels recorded 45.9% increase in wheat equivalent yield over farmers, levels. Although the the maximum gross returns were recorded with maize - berseem cropping sequence but blackgram - wheat + mustard was found most remunerative and recorded the highest net returns (Rs 23 590) a nd cost :benefit ratio (1 : 2.19). Improved resource levels recorded higher values of gross returns (Rs 51 194), net returns (Rs 26 790) and cost : be nefit ratio (1 : 2.12) compared with the farmers resource levels (Rs 37 188 , Rs 15 463 and 1 : 1.74).