Productivity and economic efficiency of wheat in rotation with cotton

Crop rotation has many benefits for agro-ecosystems production. In order to evaluate two current rotation systems of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in Kamalabad region of Fasa, an experiment was conducted during 2015-2016 growing season. The rotation systems were fallow-wheat and cotton (Gossypium spp.)-wheat. Research plots were arranged as a randomized complete block design with two blocks. The results showed that seed yield and yield components of wheat were significantly affected by rotation systems. The highest and lowest seed yield and yield components (except 1000 seeds weight and biological yield) and economical value were obtained when wheat was planted after fallow and cotton, respectively. However, the estimation of rotation indices and economic value of rotation systems showed that the highest rotation duration, land use efficiency, production efficiency, and total economic value were obtained from cotton-wheat rotation. Also, the determination of effective traits in wheat yield showed that plant height, spikes per m2, seeds per spike and harvest index were highly correlated with grain yield. Therefore, although planting wheat after fallow produced more seeds, in terms of total ecosystem production and land use efficiency, this system showed lower productivity and economic efficiency compared to cotton-wheat rotation. Thus cotton-wheat rotation could be adopted by farmers for more production.