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

摘要

The study on system productivity, energy-use efficiency and economics of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.]-based cropping systems, viz., pigeonpea-wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.}, pigeonpea- barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pigeonpea-lentil {Lens culinaris (L.) Medicus, pigeonpea-field pea {Pisum sativum (L.), sensu lato} and pigeonpea-toria {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 2007-2009, under rainfed conditions. Results showed that all the pigeonpea-based cropping systems were superior to traditional rice-wheat cropping system in terms of system productivity, net returns, benefit:cost ratio and net energy returns. Pigeonpea-lentil cropping system proved superior in terms of system net returns (Rs63,616/ha), benefit:cost ratio (1.64) and energy ratio (1.94) to pigeonpea-wheat, pigeonpea-barley, pigeonpea-field pea and pigeonpea-toria cropping systems. Rice-wheat cropping system recorded the lowest pigeonpea-equivalent yield (1.32 t/ha), net returns (Rs2,750/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (0.06). Nutrient status of the soil improved significantly due to pigeonpea-lentil cropping system over other cropping systems. Pigeonpea-lentil cropping system proved to be the best in terms of monetary returns, net energy return and soil productivity and hence, could be adopted in the north-west Himalayas under rainfed conditions.