Productivity, profitability and energy dynamics of rice (Oryza sativa) under tillage and organic nitrogen management practices in rice–vegetable pea (Pisum sativum) cropping system of Sikkim Himalayas

Abstract

Fixed plot field experimentation was carried out at Research Farm of ICAR Sikkim Centre during 2013 and 2014 to identify the efficient tillage and organic nitrogen management practices for achieving higher productivity, profitability and energy use efficiency (EUE) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in rice–vegetable pea (Pisum sativum L.) cropping system of Sikkim Himalaya. The results revealed that higher productive tillers/hill, panicle length (cm), panicle weight (g), grains/panicle, 1000–grain weight (g) and grain yield (3.27 t/ha) were recorded with reduced tillage (RT) followed by conventional tillage (CT) and no–till (NT). Maximum gross returns (96×103 `/ha) was recorded with RT followed by NT (95.8×103 `/ha) and CT (95.5×103 `/ha). However, maximum net returns (67×103 `/ha) and B:C ratio (2.34) was recorded with NT over RT and CT. NT was most energy efficient practice and had 33% less energy requirement as compared to CT. Amongst the organic nitrogen sources, higher yield attributes and grain yield (3.7 tonnes/ha) were recorded with the application of 50% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen) through FYM (Farmyard manure)+ 50% RDN through VC (vermicompost)+BF (biofertilizer) which was significantly superior over other organic nitrogen sources. The grain yield increased by 29.7% over the farmers’ practice. With respect to the economic and energy indicators, application of 50% RDN through FYM + 50% RDN through VC+BF proved its superiority over others and recorded 32.4% higher net returns and 9.2% higher EUE over the prevailing farmers’ practice (FYM @5 tonnes/ha) of the region.