Feasibility of Introducing Rice Based Four Crops Pattern in Rangpur Region of Bangladesh

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) Farm at Rangpur during July 2014 - June 2016 to introduce a 4-crops pattern with the aim of increasing cropping intensity, productivity, income and soil fertility. The experimental design was RCB with 3 replications. Four cropping patterns were tested which were: CP₁ = T. Aman (BRRI dhan62)-Potato (Cardinal)-Mungbean (BARI Mung-6)-T. Aus (BRRI dhan48), CP₂ = T. Aman (BRRI dhan62)-Mustard (BARI Sorisha-14)-Mungbean (BARI Mung-6)-T. Aus (BRRI dhan48), Farmers improved practice (FIP) = T. Aman (BR11)-Potato (Cardinal)-Maize (NK 40) and Farmers general practice (FP) = T. Aman (BR11)-Boro (BRRI dhan28)- Fallow.  In T. Aman 2014, BRRI dhan62 produced  3.87 and 3.85 t ha^-1 grain yields under CP₁ & CP₂ (4 crops systems), respectively; BR11 gave grain yield of 4.62 and 4.36 t ha^-1 in FIP and FP (3 and 2 crop system), respectively. In T. Aman 2015, BRRI dhan62 produced grain yield of 4.23 and 4.19 t ha^-1 in CP₁ and CP₂, and BR11 gave grain yield of 5.95 and 5.92 t ha^-1 in FIP and FP, respectively. After T. Aman, potato yield was 24.66 t ha^-1 in CP₁ and 24.17 t ha^-1 in FIP during 2014-15. In CP_2, 2^nd crop mustard yield was 1.16 t ha^-1 and3r^d crop mungbean yield was only 0.98 t ha^-1.In CP₁, 3r^d crop mungbean yield was only 0.83 t ha^-1. After potato in FIP, maize yield was 8.38 t ha^-1. After T. Aman (BR11) in FP, grain yield of BRRI dhan28 was 5.42 t ha^-1. The yield of BRRI dhan48 in CP₁ and CP₂ (as 4^th crop) was 4.5 t ha^-1. Similar results of different crops were obtained in 2015-16. The rice equivalent yield (REY) was found to be 30.05 & 35.95 t ha^-1yr^-1 in CP₁ during 1^st and 2^nd yearfollowed by FIP (23.92 & 29.82 t ha^-1yr^-1, respectively). The REY was higher in 2^nd year compared to 1^st year. In 2014-15 the highest net return of Tk.2,42,560 ha^-1 was observed in CP₁ followed by FIP(Tk.1,58,380 ha^-1); in 2015-16, the highest net return was in CP₁ (Tk.2,16,960 ha^-1) followed by FIP(Tk.1,24,620 ha^-1). Potato based cropping pattern was thus, the most suitable and profitable pattern in this area. T. Aman (BRRI dhan62)-Potato (Cardinal)-Mungbean (BARI Mung-6)-T. Aus (BRRI dhan48) may, therefore, be the most suitable and profitable cropping pattern in medium high lands of Rangpur region.

The Agriculturists 2017; 15(1) 116-126