Designing Resource-Efficient and Environmentally Safe Cropping Systems for Sustainable Energy Use and Economic Returns in Indo-Gangetic Plains, India

Abstract

Achieving an economically feasible and environmentally robust model in agriculture while satisfying the expanding population’s food demands is a global challenge. Hence, a three-year (2014–2017) study was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to design environmentally clean, energy-efficient, and profitable cropping systems. Twelve cropping systems viz., rice-wheat (CS1), basmati rice-hayola (transplanted)-mung bean (CS2), basmati rice-radish-maize (CS3), maize-potato-maize (CS4), maize + turmeric-barley + linseed (CS5), maize + turmeric-wheat + linseed (CS6), maize + radish-wheat + linseed-mung bean (CS7), groundnut + pigeon pea (5:1)-wheat + sarson (9:1) (CS8), maize + black gram-pea (bed) + celery (furrows) (CS9),: maize + pigeon pea-chickpea (bed) + gobhi sarson (furrows) (CS10), maize (green cobs) + vegetable cowpea + dhaincha (Sesbania spp.)-chickpea + gobhi sarson (CS11) and sorghum + cowpea (fodder)-wheat + gobhi sarson (9:1) (CS12) were tested in a four-times-replicated randomized block design. CS11 had the maximum system productivity (28.57 Mg ha−1), production efficiency (78.27 Kg Day−1 ha−1), irrigation water use efficiency (2.38 kg m−3), system net returns (4413.3 US$ ha−1), and benefit to cost (B:C) ratio (2.83) over others. In comparison to the CS1 system, this cropping system required ~78% less irrigation water for a unit economic production. However, the cultivation of CS12 registered the highest energy use efficiency (49.06%), net energy returns (6.46 × 103 MJ ha⁻¹), and global warming potential (GWP) (Mg CO2 e ha−1) at spatial scale. Among all the intensified systems, CS11 had the lowest GHGI (0.29 kg CO2 e kg−1). Furthermore, cultivation of CS6 resulted in the maximum bacterial and actinomycetes population in the soil, while CS5 yielded the highest fungal count (23.8 × 103 cfu g−1 dry soil) in soil. Our study suggests that the cultivation of CS11 is a resource-efficient, economically viable, and environmentally clean production system and could be a potential alternative to rice-wheat systems for developing a green economy policy for agricultural development in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) of India.

Long-Term Impact of the Continuous Use of Organic Manures on Crop and Soil Productivity under Maize–Potato–Onion Cropping Systems

“…The chemical-based treatment produced energy measured at 410.20 × 10 3 MJ/ha, less than all the chemical treatments except T5 (339.0 × 10 3 MJ/ha). The treatment (T3) in which soybeans were grown as an inter-row crop in maize, radishes in potatoes, and coriander in onions showed the highest energy-use efficiency (17.87) and energy output efficiency (1.69 × 10 3 MJ/ha/day), and this was mainly due to the increased energy output of the system [69]. Moreover, this treatment also revealed the highest energy productivity, valued at 11.51 kg/MEY/MJ, over the other treatments, mainly due to its higher REY.…”

Integrating conservation agriculture with intensive crop diversification in the maize-based organic system: Impact on sustaining food and nutritional security

“…More resource-efficient practices, such as conservation agriculture with full retention of crop residue and diversified crop rotations, are receiving widespread support as potential solutions for lowering the consumption of non-renewable resources, reversing soil deterioration, and restoring soil quality, all while cutting emissions (11)(12)(13)(14). Organic intensive cropping system with conservation practices enhanced crop establishment and provision for timely sowing, maintaining, or increasing per unit productivity, lowering production costs, and increasing net returns along with ensuring nutritional security, potential energy availability, and system resilience (15)(16)(17), which ensures to achieve little toward the SDGs-3 (good health and wellbeing) and-12 (zero hunger; responsible consumption and production).…”

Regression Analysis of Extension Needs of Vegetable Growers in Amaravati Division of Maharashtra State, India

“…The food and nutritional security in India were achieved by producing cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables etc. For boosting of agricultural growth farmers need to be encourage to diversify cereal based production with high value crops preferable with vegetables" [1]. "Additionally, it helps in reducing dependency on imports and ensures a steady supply of fresh and healthy produce for the growing population.…”