Productivity, economics and energetics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)-based cropping systems in mid-hills of north–west Himalaya

The study on system productivity, energy-use efficiency and economics of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.]–based cropping systems, viz., pigeonpea–wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.}, pigeonpea– barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pigeonpea–lentil {Lens culinaris (L.) Medicus, pigeonpea–field pea {Pisum sativum (L.), sensu lato} and pigeonpea–toria {Brassica rapa (L.) var. toria} with comparise to rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat cropping system was carried out at the Hawalbagh experimental farm of Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand during 2007–2009, under rainfed conditions. Results showed that all the pigeonpea–based cropping systems were superior to traditional rice–wheat cropping system in terms of system productivity, net returns, benefit:cost ratio and net energy returns. Pigeonpea–lentil cropping system proved superior in terms of system net returns ( 63,616/ha), benefit:cost ratio (1.64) and energy ratio (1.94) to pigeonpea–wheat, pigeonpea–barley, pigeonpea–field pea and pigeonpea–toria cropping systems. Rice–wheat cropping system recorded the lowest pigeonpea–equivalent yield (1.32 t/ha), net returns (2,750/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (0.06). Nutrient status of the soil improved significantly due to pigeonpea–lentil cropping system over other cropping systems. Pigeonpea–lentil cropping system proved to be the best in terms of monetary returns, net energy return and soil productivity and hence, could be adopted in the north-west Himalayas under rainfed conditions.