Productivity, economics and energetics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)-based cropping systems in mid-hills of northwest Himalaya

Abstract

The study on system productivity, energy-use efficiency and economics of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.]based cropping systems, viz., pigeonpeawheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.}, pigeonpea barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pigeonpealentil {Lens culinaris (L.) Medicus, pigeonpeafield pea {Pisum sativum (L.), sensu lato} and pigeonpeatoria {Brassica rapa (L.) var. toria} with comparise to rice (Oryza sativa L.)wheat cropping system was carried out at the Hawalbagh experimental farm of Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand during 20072009, under rainfed conditions. Results showed that all the pigeonpeabased cropping systems were superior to traditional ricewheat cropping system in terms of sys- tem productivity, net returns, benefit:cost ratio and net energy returns. Pigeonpealentil cropping system proved superior in terms of system net returns ( 63,616/ha), benefit:cost ratio (1.64) and energy ratio (1.94) to pigeonpeawheat, pigeonpeabarley, pigeonpeafield pea and pigeonpeatoria cropping systems. Ricewheat cropping system recorded the lowest pigeonpeaequivalent yield (1.32 t/ha), net returns ( 2,750/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (0.06). Nutrient status of the soil improved significantly due to pigeonpealentil cropping system over other cropping systems. Pigeonpealentil cropping system proved to be the best in terms of monetary re- turns, net energy return and soil productivity and hence, could be adopted in the north-west Himalayas under rainfed conditions.