Productivity and energy budget of maize (Zea mays)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system as influenced by NPK fertilization

A field experiment was carried out on 36 farmers’ fields in three tehsils namely Nathdwara, Rajsamand and Kumbhalgarh of Rajsamand district situated in Sub-humid Southern Plain and Aravalli Hills Zone of Rajasthan (IVa) from kharif 2007 to rabi 2009–10 to study the influence of NPK fertilization on productivity and energy budget of maize (Zea mays)wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] cropping system. Higher grain and stover/straw yields, maize-grain equivalent yield, net returns and benefit: cost ratio in maize-wheat cropping system were obtained with the application of 90 kg N, 35 kg P2O5 and 30 kg K2O ha⁻¹ in maize and 120 kg N, 40 kg P2O5 and 30 kg K2O ha⁻¹in wheat over rest of the treatments. This treatment also registered maximum sustainable yield index (0.69), production efficiency (38.5 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹), output energy (288.7 x 10³ MJ ha⁻¹), energy use efficiency (8.04), energy output efficiency (1255.1 MJ ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) and energy productivity (246.5 g MJ⁻¹). Response studies indicated that maximum response was noted with phosphorus in both maize (23.8 kg kg⁻¹ P) and wheat (30.5 kg kg⁻¹ P).