Work

Energy budgeting, carbon footprint and economics of sunflower and pigeonpea system under moisture conservation practices in rainfed semi-arid tropics

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In drylands, soil water availability in the profile during crop period, especially at critical stages is most vital. System which is productive, energy efficient with a minimum carbon (C) footprint under limited water condition is a concern. Therefore we evaluated sunflower and pigeonpea crops over two-years in terms of productivity, energy, C-footprint and profitability under different moisture conservation measures. These were raised bed, ridge and furrow , tied ridges and furrow, conservation tillage , flatbed sowing and opening furrow after every three rows at 30 days, and flatbed sowing under sole crops of sunflower and pigeonpea and intercropping at 1:1 adopted split-plot design. The results showed in-field moisture conservation by ridge and furrow produced considerably greater sunflower (59.6–66%) and pigeonpea (85.2–128.7%) yields and profitable (604.1 US$ ha −1 ) over traditional flatbed sowing. It also exhibited greater output energy (37.8–83.0%), energy use efficiency(4.2 kg GJ −1 ),and lower energy intensity (21.57 × 10 −3 GJ US$ −1 ). Sunflower and pigeonpea sole crops produced higher seed yields over intercropping. But it has yield advantage in terms of greater pigeonpea equivalent yield (0.53–1.13 Mg ha −1 ), profitability (691.8 USD ha −1 ), output energy (42.4 GJ ha −1 ) and energy ratio. Among the input energy sources, chemical fertilizers accounted 53.6 % of the total input energy. Interestingly, least C-footprints were recorded under ridge and furrow (182 kg CE kg −1 grain)and intercropping (0.248 kg CE kg −1 grain). Results confirmed sunflower and pigeonpea intercropping on ridge and furrow was productive, energy saving, C-footprint reduction and economical practice under rainfed condition.

Source: Environmental and Sustainability Indicators

DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2024.100504