An Randamised Block Design (RBD) field investigation with ten crop sequences under irrigation with recommended package of practices in sandy loam soils of Southern Telangana Zone (STZ), Telangana was carried out during Kharif, Rabi and summer of 2018-2019 with an objective of the nutrient uptake and soil fertility status under different cropping systems and to assess agro economic benefit. These ten cropping systems were grouped in to five categories viz., pre dominant cropping systems of the zone, ecological cropping systems, household nutritional security giving cropping systems, fodder security giving cropping systems and cropping systems involving high value crops. So that from each category, best cropping system can be identified and can be suggested to different integrated farming systems models. In the context of farming systems, under high value crops such as Okra–Marigold–Beetroot system recorded significantly higher rice grain equivalent yield (36,434 kg ha-1) over other systems. Among the ecological cropping systems for improving soil health, Bt cotton + green gram (1:3) - groundnut cropping system was recorded significantly higher rice grain equivalent yield (14,080 kg ha-1) as  compared to pigeon pea + green gram (1:7) – sesame cropping system. Among the household nutritional security giving crops, pigeon pea + maize (1:3) – groundnut system was recorded higher rice grain equivalent yield (13,693 kg ha-1). Within the two fodder crops, fodder maize – lucerne system was resulted in higher rice grain equivalent yield (7,709 kg ha-1). Rice - maize and Bt cotton which were the pre-dominant cropping systems of the region wherein rice – maize system recorded comparatively higher rice grain equivalent yield (11,771 kg ha-1) than Bt cotton. Fodder systems were found to be more exhaustive than all other cropping systems. However, within two years of experimentation the changes in physic-chemical properties and soil fertility status were not significantly affected except organic carbon. Organic carbon was high (0.45 %) in case of pigeon pea + green gram (1:6) - sesame cropping system.

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Crop diversification with resource efficient and remunerative cropping systems is a sustainable agricultural practice. On farm evaluation with an improved cropping system of rice-groundnut vis-a-vis farmers’ practice of rice-rice was conducted in ten farmer’s fields of Medak district of Telangana state. Crop diversification with Rice-groundnut realized 7.3% (881 kg ha-1) higher mean rice grain equivalent yield (12969 kg ha-1) over farmer’s practice of cultivation of rice-rice (12,088 kg ha-1). Mean technology and extension gaps were 2,231 kg ha-1 and 881 kg ha-1 respectively.  Technology index ranged from 8.8 to 23.7% with an average value of 14.7%. The mean gross and net returns of improved cropping system were Rs 1,92,930 and 1,09,658 ha-1, while that of farmers practice was Rs 1,81,320 and 83,955 ha-1 respectively.  On an average a B C ratio of 2.3 was earned in improved cropping system as against the 1.9 under farmers practice. The mean additional returns in improved cropping system were Rs 13,210 ha-1 with a mean effective gain of Rs 27,303 ha-1. Improved cropping system registered a mean total productivity per day of 35.5 kg ha-1 day-1 with a mean profitability of Rs 300 day-1. Average Production Use Efficiency of improved cropping system was 56.4 kg ha-1 day-1, while that of farmer’s practice was 49.3 kg ha-1 day-1.  The edge in productive economic parameters in terms of Mean Relative Productive Use Efficiency and Relative Economic Efficiency were 7.3 and 30.6 respectively and were indicating the profitability of improved cropping system.

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A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of sub-soiling on plant growth, root morphology and yield of rainfed pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L. ) Millsp.] (Var LRG 41) during 2012-13 and 2013-14. Crop exposed to moisture stress condition from flowering to harvest (120 days) during 2013-14, compared to experiment conducted during 2012-13. The results indicated that sub-soil tillage sustained higher shoot, root growth and seed yield during the year 2013-14, which coincided with end of season drought compared to conventional tillage treatment. Crop growth in terms of plant height, leaf area/plant significantly improved due to sub-soiling compared to conventionally tilled treatment. Similarly sub-soiling recorded significant increase in drought tolerant traits, viz. root length (234%), root dry weight (274%) and relative water content (37%). Consequently, sub-soil tillage recorded significant increase in number of pods/plant by 59%, 100 seed weight by 12% and pod yield by 219% compared to conventionally tilled treatment. Sub-soil tillage proved efficient method of mechanical intervention for drought mitigation under rainfed pigeonpea cultivation.