Energy Dynamics and Efficiency of Aerobic Rice-blackgram Cropping System under Sustainable Nutrient Management Practices

This study focuses on assessing the energy use pattern and input-output balance in the aerobic rice-blackgram cropping system under various nutrient sources. The objective is to determine the energy efficiency by evaluating how different nutrient management practices influence energy utilization and crop productivity. Since optimizing energy use is crucial for achieving sustainable and cost-effective farming, the study aims to identify the most efficient and productive nutrient management approach suitable for the aerobic rice-blackgram system.

The field experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replication consisted of two main plot and six sub plot treatments during 2022 and 2023 at wetland farms, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The main plots consisted of the cultivation of rice with and without green manure intercropping. The subplots consisted of different sources of nutrient management practices.

The results revealed that incorporation of daincha (M₂) along with half dose of recommended nitrogen from inorganic fertilizer + quarter dose of recommended nitrogen from enriched farmyard manure + quarter dose of recommended nitrogen from vermicompost + AM fungi and foliar nutrients of 0.5% urea, 1% FeSO₄ and 0.5% ZnSO₄ (S₆) significantly improved the energy performance of the aerobic rice-blackgram system. This treatment increased the energy use efficiency by 10–43%, output energy by 11–60% and reduced energy input by 9.10-11.63% compared to application of inorganic fertilizer alone. These findings indicate that integration of different sources of nutrient enhances energy efficiency, reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers and contributes to sustainable system productivity.