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Integration of Chickpea and Other Rabi Crops Into Rainfed Rice-based Systems of the High BARInd Tract

C. Johansen
15 Westgate Court, Leeming, WA 6149, Australia

A. M. Musa
People’s Resource-Oriented Voluntary Association (PROVA), B/251, Kazihata, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

D. Harris
Centre for Arid Zone Studies (CAZS), Plant Sciences Programme, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG, UK

M. Shafiqul Islam
On-farm Research Division-Barind, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Rajshahi, Bangladesh

M. Omar Ali
Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This paper examines some of the major constraints to developing rainfed ricerabi cropping systems in the High Barind Tract (HBT) and suggests means of alleviating them. Traditional rainfed rice cultivation in the HBT does not readily synchronize with the subsequent cultivation of rainfed rabi crops primarily because of the creation of soil conditions unfavorable to the following crops and the delayed sowing of rabi crops. For chickpea, there is a gradual linear decline in yield with a delay in sowing from early November to mid-December. However, there are instances of poor yields with early sowing and high yields with sowing in December, depending on the relative incidence of the biotic and abiotic stresses that affect chickpea. If these can be adequately managed, high yields are also possible with December sowing. The advent of direct seeding of rice and the use of short-duration rice varieties widen the sowing window and decrease the cultivation risk of chickpea and other rabi crops. A wider range of cropping options becomes possible, thus diversifying the risk associated with any one crop.

Keywords: Rainfed rice-rabi, Cropping systems, HBT, Farming system, Chickpea

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-1998

End Date: 00-00-2002

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Cropping System, Rice, Chickpea

Objectives:

To examine some of the major constraints to developing rainfed rice-rabi cropping systems in the HBT and to suggest means of overcoming these constraints.

Methodology:

The effect of delayed sowing on chickpea in South Asia is well established, with yield decreasing as the shortest day is approached (Saxena 1987). The reasons why this should also occur in the HBT include slow seedling growth due to declining temperatures into winter, drying of surface soil, delayed flowering and podding, which increases the risk of terminal drought and heat stress, damage by chickpea pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera), and storm damage from mid-March. A comprehensive set of on-farm trials to measure the effect of seed priming (soaking seed in water overnight prior to sowing) on chickpea growth and yield (Musa et al 2001) offers an opportunity to quantify the effect of sowing date on chickpea yield specifically for the HBT. The trials were conducted in paired plots of 666-m² plot size in farmers’ fields across the HBT. There were 30 trials in 1998-99, 99 in 1999-2000, 101 in 2000-01, and 50 in 2001-02. Sowing dates ranged from early November to mid-December. Yield tended to decrease in each season. With seed priming, yields were higher (see Harris et al, this volume) and the decline in yield with sowing date was less. However, there was a large scatter of points, with some early-sown crops giving low yields and some late-sown crops high yields. This scatter could be attributed to other factors besides sowing date that affect yield, such as suboptimal moisture at sowing, biotic stresses including collar rot (caused by Sclerotium rolfsii), Fusarium wilt, Botrytis gray mold (BGM, caused by Botrytis cinerea) and pod borer, and nutrient deficiencies (e.g., N, P, and Mo). Reasons for low yield with early sowing could include collar rot (which affects early-sown crops more), excessive vegetative growth-inducing BGM or early invasion of pod borer, and nutrient deficiencies limiting biomass formation. High yields with late sowing could be attributed to sowing in niches where soil moisture remained favorable throughout growth, escape from pod borer invasion, and adequate soil fertility with good nodulation. The general benefit of being able to sow chickpea within November, thus showing the value of growing rice that can be harvested earlier in November, whether it be direct-seeded rice or short-duration rice varieties. However, the decline in chickpea yield with sowing date is linear and gradual, and it is not necessarily disastrous for chickpea to be sown into December, for example, after the harvest of Swarna. In conditions of favorable soil moisture and with sound agronomic management, it is possible to achieve good yields of December-sown chickpea. Likewise, good agronomic management is also necessary if high yields are to be obtained from November-sown chickpea.

Source of Information: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), 2008. ISBN 978-971-22-0229-2

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The possibilities for earlier harvest of T. aman rice, through the use of short-duration varieties or direct seeding, without yield loss to rice, substantially widen the sowing window for rainfed rabi crops. This is of particular benefit to mustard and lentil, for which early sowing, before mid-November at the latest, is essential. In expanding the cultivation of rainfed rabi crops in the HBT, it is necessary to focus on reducing yield risk, at minimal input cost. A prime consideration in this regard is to be able to sow into seedbeds that will maintain adequate moisture during the seed germination and seedling establishment process. There is scope for achieving this through mechanized minimum-tillage techniques. It is also necessary to meet the particular nutrient needs of each crop, such as the Mo requirement of legumes and the B requirement of oilseeds. Care is also needed in managing the biotic constraints of each crop. An advantage of the crops alternative to chickpea studied here is that they are, now at least, relatively less affected by biotic constraints than chickpea, whose yield can be drastically reduced by fusarium wilt, collar rot, BGM, and pod borer. The major constraint to rainfed rabi cropping in the HBT continues to be inadequate soil moisture. Where tube-well irrigation is not possible, there is scope for expanding supplementary irrigation, in the form of watershed catchments, plastic hose-pipe irrigation from ponds and dams, and the use of drip irrigation. However, this would be suitable only for water-use-efficient crops, to maximize the water-use efficiency (WUE) of the crops sown. Substantial livelihood improvement in the HBT depends on diversification of agricultural enterprises and income sources in the region, such as through increased cultivation of vegetables, trees, livestock, fisheries, etc. This in turn depends on improving the overall WUE of the entire production system.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings