Crop energy balance study of cotton-chickpea cropping sequence under organic and inorganic fertilizer sources in western Maharashtra

Abstract

This study was conducted during the year 2006-07 and 2007-08 to determine how energy balances of crop production are affected by cotton-chickpea cropping sequence and different sources of organic and inorganic fertilizer under the semi-arid conditions of western Maharashtra. The energy input and output, energy balance per unit input ratio and the energy output/ input ratio were varied significantly individually to cotton and chickpea during both the years. However on pooled mean basis to cotton-chickpea cropping sequence, the energy input, output and energy balance were significantly higher by application of (RDF) Recommended Dose of Fertilizer according to Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) equation to cotton and 100% RDF to chickpea. Significantly higher energy balance per unit input and energy output per input ratio (6.46 MJ/ ha and 7.46) were recorded by 100% RDF + 10 FYM/ha to cotton and it was 5.72 MJ/ha and 6.72 by 100% RDF to chickpea. Application of RDF according to STCR equation (₹ 64960 and 3.07) to cotton and 100% RDF (₹ 46744 and 2.23) application to chickpea registered higher net monetary returns and benefit cost ratio respectively.