Abstract
With the view of increasing cropping intensity and diversity by transforming two-crop
based pattern (Boro rice-Fallow-T. Aman rice) in Tista Meander Floodplain (AEZ-3)
Bangladesh to three or more crop based pattern, the study was undertaken during 2014-
2017 to evaluate of different cropping patterns and validating the best ones in farmers
fields. Cropping pattern evaluation study was conducted at RARS, Rangpur in 2014-15
and 2015-16 involving 12 cropping patterns viz. existing farmers' pattern Boro riceFallow-T. Aman rice (CP1), Potato-Boro rice-T. Aman rice (CP2), Potato-Maize-T. Aman rice
(CP3), Wheat-Mungbean-T. Aman rice (CP4), Gardenpea-Red amaranth-Mungbean-T. Aus
rice-T. Aman rice (CP5), Wheat+ Sweetgourd-Jute+Stem amaranth-T. Aman rice (CP6),
Potato-Maize+Mungbean-T. Aman rice (CP7), Radish-Potato/Maize relay-T. Aman rice
(CPs), Potato-Mungbean-T. Aus rice-T. Aman rice (CP9), Potato-Red amaranth-MungbeanT. Aus rice-T. Aman rice (CP10), Mustard-Red amaranth-Mungbean-T. Aus rice-T. Aman
rice (CP11) and Mustard-Mungbean-T. Aus rice-T. Aman rice (CP12) in RCB design with
three replications. In terms of productivity and profitability the CP10, CP11, CP5 and CPg
performed better as compared to the other cropping patterns. The results showed that
the highest rice equivalent yield (REY), production efficiency and gross return were
recorded in CPs and the lowest in CP1. The REY of CPs, CP10 and CPs patterns were 42.6,
36.8 and 30.4 t ha-1 which were 60%, 38% and 14% higher, respectively than that of CP3
(26.6 t ha-1). The net return was higher in CPs, СP10, CPs and CP11 cropping patterns with
system profitability BDT 999.6 ha-1 day-1, BDT 727.3 ha-1 day-1, BDT 697.5 ha-1 day-1 and
BDT 620.2 ha-1 day-1, respectively. The highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) (2.5) was obtained
in CP5 followed by CP11 (2.3) and CPg (2.4). The highest land use efficiency (92.47%) was
recorded in CP11 and the highest labour employment was generated in CP10 (354) pattern
with an increase of 82% and 33% over CP12 (194) and CP3 (267), respectively. The
cropping patterns CP10, CP11, CP5 and CPs gave the higher additional incomes (BDT
265567 ha-1, BDT 226389 ha-1, BDT 254583 ha-1 and BDT 364861 ha-1, respectively) and sustainable yield indices (90%, 82%, 84% and 92%, respectively) over the other patterns.
Further, five best cropping patterns (CP3, CP5, CP8, CP10 and CP11) were tested in a
validation trial at farmers' field in two locations (Gangachara and Rangpur sadar upazila) in 2016-17. Among the five cropping patterns, CPs recorded the higher mean
REY (33.5 t ha-¹), production efficiency (105.3 kg ha-1 day-1), gross return (BDT 669400 ha-¹) and profitability (BDT 1056.4 ha-1 day-1) than all other cropping patterns. The highest mean land use efficiency of 93.6% was found in CP10 pattern. CPs cropping
pattern accounted for the highest BCR (2.6 and 2.7 at Gangachara and Rangpur sadar, respectively) and it was followed by CPs (2.4) at Gangachara and CP11 (2.31) at Rangpur sadar. The highest mean additional income (BDT 237762 ha-1) over CP3 and mean
sustainable yield index (88%) were recorded in CPs. The organic matter of soil slightly
increased in most of the cropping patterns as compared to initial soil. Based on the study
it may be concluded that Radish-Potato/Maize relay-T. Aman rice (CPs), Potato-Red amaranth-Mungbean-T. Aus rice-T. Aman rice (CP10), Garden pea-Red amaranth- Mungbean-T. Aus rice-T. Aman rice (CPs) and Mustard-Red amaranth-Mungbean-T. Aus rice-T. Aman rice (CP11) cropping patterns could be adopted in the north-western region of Bangladesh under AEZ-3 for obtaining higher productivity and profitability.