Energetics, water and crop productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum)-cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) sequence under land configuration and irrigation regime in semi-arid agro-ecosystem

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy and winter seasons of 2012–14 at Hisar, Haryana, to study energetics, water and crop productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] sequence as affected by land configurations and irrigation regimes in semi-arid agro-ecosystem. Two years average data showed that the highest yields were achieved with furrow-irrigated raised bed (FIRB). It has increased system yields by 13%, 21.7% and 13.7% over conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT) and zero tillage (ZT) respectively. This study also indicated that FIRB gave greater system returns (58×10³/ha) compared to the other practices. Water-use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water productivity (IWP) of wheat-clusterbean increased by 26–28% and 25–35% with FIRB planting than CT. The maximum system net energy (355.9 × 10³ MJ/ha) was recorded in FIRB with water stress level of 0.90 IW: CPE for wheat and 0.80 IW: CPE for clusterbean (I₁) than other combinations. Similarly, energy-use efficiency (22.5) and energy productivity (375.7 g/MJ) were maximum in ZT with water stress level of 0.75 IW: CPE for wheat and 0.70 IW: CPE for clusterbean (I₂) compared to the other tillage and irrigation regimes. Wheat-clusterbean under FIRB with water stress level of I₁ chronicled considerably greater system net returns (12–75%) than CT, MT and ZT across water stress levels. Among planting systems, FIRB under I₁ was found to be a better option to enhance productivity and profitability, while greater energy use efficiency and energy productivity in ZT.