Influence of Nutrient Management Practices and Crop Intensification on Yield, Economic Returns, and Energy Use in Conservation Agriculture-Based Rice–Maize Cropping Systems
Bidusi Tripathy *
Department of Agronomy, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan 731 235, West Bengal, India and Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753 006, Odisha, India.
NC Sarkar
Department of Agronomy, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan 731 235, West Bengal, India.
BB Panda
Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753 006, Odisha, India and Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Rice Research Institute - Regional Coastal Rice Research Station, Naira 532 185, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study evaluates the impact of different nutrient management practices on the yield, economics, and energy use efficiency in a conservation agriculture (CA)-based rice–maize cropping system.
Study Design: Split plot Design.
Place and Duration of Study: Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 753 006, Odisha; 2-year experiment (2022-23 and 2023-24).
Methodology: Main plot was allotted with four production systems: Conventional + Sole Crop (CSC), Conventional + Inter Crop (CIC), Conservation agriculture + Sole Crop (CASC) and Conservation agriculture + Inter Crop (CAIC); sub-plot with three nutrient management strategy: Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (NR), 25 % N (N25) and 50 % N (N50) based substitution of RDF with farm yard manure (FYM) replicated thrice.
Results: Results showed that 25% N based substitution of RDF with farm yard manure has significantly higher the grain yield, profitability, and energy productivity while reducing the energy input cost compared to sole chemical or 50% N based substitution.
Conclusion: Conservation agriculture combined with optimal nutrient strategies proves effective for sustainable intensification of rice–maize systems.
Keywords: Conservation agriculture, rice–maize cropping system, nutrient management, yield