Up-scaling nutrient, energy and system productivity of pigeonpea-wheat cropping system in Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Abstract

Aim : The major impediments in realizing the potential productivity of pigeonpea-wheat rotation in Indo- Gangetic plains includes lack of short-duration pigeonpea cultivar (<120 days), suboptimal plant stand in pigeonpea and substantial yield loss of wheat following delayed sowing. In view of the above issues, the present study aimed to assess the potential of tillage-based crop establishment practices and appropriate cultivar combinations for improving crop productivity, nutrient acquisition and energy efficiency in Indo- Gangetic plains. Methodology : Field experiment was carried out involving two crop establishment practices [pigeonpea on ridges followed by (fb) wheat on flatbed, and pigeonpea on raised-bed fb wheat on raised-bed] and six combination of cultivars (3×2) of both pigeonpea (UPAS 120, ICP 67B and Pusa 992) and wheat (Shatabdi, Unnat Halna). The treatment effect was compared based on crop growth and yield, plant nutrient acquisition, system productivity and energy budgeting. Results : Pigeonpea on raised-bed and wheat on flatbed had higher plant nutrient acquisition, above- and below-ground crop biomass and grain yield. Higher and significant correlations between plant nutrients uptake and grain yield indicated that crop establishment practices and cultivars had direct influence on plant nutrients acquisitions. UPAS 120 (pigeonpea) fb Unnat Halna (wheat) cultivar combination had the highest wheat equivalent yield (8.62 t ha-1), net energy balance (192,667 MJ ha-1) and energy ratio (5.88). Interpretation : Thus, selection of suitable component crops cultivar and appropriate crop establishment practices would enable farmers to maximize the harvestable produce from pigeonpea-wheat rotation in Indo-Gangetic plains.