Profitable and energy-efficient rice (Oryza sativa)-based cropping systems in Northern Telangana of Andhra Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jagtial, during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 1996–97 to 1998–99 on red sandy-loam soils, to find out profitable and energy-efficient rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based cropping sequences among different cropping sequences, viz., rice-maize (Zea mays L), rice-sunflower (Helianthus annuus L), rice-groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L), rice-blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L), rice-greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L), rice-soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.], rice–Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L) Czernj. & Cosson] and rice–rice. Of the 8 cropping sequences, rice-rice, rice-maize and rice-sunflower cropping sequences gave significantly higher rice-equivalent yield (11,616, 11,553 and 10,868 kg/ha respectively) and gross returns (Rs 51,745, 51,464 and 48,291/ha respectively). Though field water supply was higher to rice-rice cropping sequence (2,800 mm), the water-use efficiency was lowest (4.15 kg/mm). Similarly, rice-rice cropping sequence also required higher energy input (75,036 MJ/ha) but the energy efficiency and energy productivity were lowest (4.2 and 155 g/MJ). However, net returns and benefit: cost ratio were higher with rice-maize (Rs 21,884/ha; 1.74) and rice-sunflower (Rs 21,321/ha; 1.79) cropping sequences. Similarly, these cropping sequences also recorded higher energy-use efficiency (6.4 and 5.1 respectively), energy productivity (227 and 238 g/MJ respectively) and water-use efficiency (7.22 and 7.50 kg/mm respectively) and were more sustainable than rice–rice and other rice-based cropping sequences.