Research Highlights in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5

Abstract

Conservation agriculture production systems (CAPS), one of the environment friendly approaches, aid in preserving soil quality, productivity, and farmers net income. Through a system productivity an d profitability study, effects of reduced tillage, intercropping, and cover cropping techniques tailored for maize-based systems were assessed over a three-year period (2011-2014) in rainfed uplands of Odisha, India. Results showed maize grain yield did not differ significantly over time or among CAPS treatments while cowpea yield was considered as an additional yield in intercropping systems. The full CAPS implementation had significantly higher system productivity and net benefit than conventional farmers practice.