Energetics, yield, water use and economics of rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping system in flood-prone situation of eastern Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during 1996–99 at Ghaghraghat, Bahraich, to study the energy requirement, yield, water use and economics of 7 rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping systems in flood-prone areas. Rice-lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus)-maize (Zea mays L.) + fodder cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] system gave significantly highest rice-equivalent yield (95.82 q/ha), water-use efficiency (83.83 kg grain/ha-cm), net profit (Rs 30,249/ha), benefit: cost ratio (3.35) and production efficiency (Rs 75.02/day/ha) compared with rest of cropping sequences. Rice-wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.)-maize + cowpea (F) sequence ranked second with regards to net profit, rice equivalent, water-use efficiency and production efficiency. Rice-pea (Pisum sativum L., s.l)- maize + cowpea (F) system gave the highest energy input (38.02 MJ x 10³/ha) while the highest energy output (907.75 MJ x 10³/ha) and energy-use efficiency (29.52) were obtained in rice-Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson]-maize+ cowpea (F) sequence. Land-utilization efficiency was the maximum (91.78%) in rice-linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)-maize + cowpea (F), followed by rice-lentil-maize + cowpea (F) system (90.41%).