Evaluation of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping systems for increasing productivity, resource-use efficiency and energy productivity in coastal West Bengal

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 201113 at farmers field of Kakdwip in the district South 24 Parganas of West Bengal to assess productivity, profitability, resource-use efficiency including energy value under coastal saline zone with 6 different rice (Oryza sativa L.)based cropping systems, viz. ricegreengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], ricesunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), ricesunflower + greengram, riceokra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench], ricerice and ricekhasari (Lathyrus sativus L.) (as utera). The highest rice-equivalent yield was re- corded in riceokra (33.6 t/ha) cropping system. Higher productivity, net returns and profitability also recorded in riceokra system followed by ricesunflower. However, higher benefit: cost ratio was obtained from riceokra sys- tem (2.03) followed by ricekhasari (1.85) and the lowest from ricegreengram (1.52) system. Riceokra system showed better land-utilization efficiency (69.1%) followed by ricesunflower than the other systems. Riceokra system also showed higher irrigation water-use efficiency (1,416.3 kg/ha-cm) and employment generation (475 man-days) than the other systems. Total input, output and net energy produced in the systems were in order of riceokra > ricerice > ricesunflower > ricesunflower+greengram > ricegreengram > ricekhasari. Riceokra system was the most efficient in term of energy productivity (0.45 kg/MJ). Energy-use efficiency was the highest in ricekhasari followed by ricesunflower + greengram and ricegreengram. The riceokra cropping system proved the most remunerative cropping system in the coastal saline zone of West Bengal.