Tillage Practices and Rabi Crops Affect Energetics of Rainfed Rice-Based Cropping System of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

In rice-based cropping system, intensive tillage operations, which consume a huge amount of energy in the form of fuel and labor, are carried out after harvesting of rice for growing the next crop. Modification in tillage practices may not only reduce energy consumption but also could make the system more dynamic and efficient. The present study involving four tillage practices and six different rabi crops was undertaken in strip plot design with three replications to understand the effect of tillage practices and rabi crops on the energetics of rainfed rice-based cropping system. Results of study clearly demonstrated that zero tillage direct drilling of seeds at 2nd days after harvesting of rice with toria and minimum tillage and line sowing of seeds at 3rd days after harvesting of rice with safflower recorded 40% less energy input and 59% more energy output, respectively, than farmer’s practice seeds and fertilizers broadcasting at 12th days after harvesting of rice with safflower. Among the tillage practices, zero tillage direct drilling of seeds at 2nd days after harvesting of rice recorded 63 and 74% higher energy productivity and energy intensity, respectively, over farmers practice. Among the rabi crops, significantly higher energy productivity, energy intensity and net energy (0.84 kg MJ⁻¹, 6.74 MJ Rs⁻¹ and 66.72 × 10³ MJ ha⁻¹, respectively) were recorded under safflower. With higher energy productivity and intensity, ZT direct drilling of seeds at 2nd DAH of rice and safflower was found best for the energetic management of rainfed rice-based cropping system of Chhattisgarh.