Energy budgeting of colocasia-based cropping systems in the Indian sub-Himalayas

Abstract

This study examines the energy requirement and energy inputeoutput relationship of colocasia-based cropping systems viz., Colocasiaeonionefrenchbean, colocasiaegardenpeaefrenchbean, colocasiae wheateokra, colocasiaeradishepotato, colocasiaecabbageefrenchbean, colocasiaecorianderecauliflowere frenchbean, colocasiaecorinderetomato and riceewheat in the Indian Himalayas. Results revealed that potato consumed the highest total input energy (25084 MJ/ha) and the least was in coriander (5108 MJ/ha). System productivity in terms of colocasia equivalent yield was highest with colocasiae onionefrenchbean system (52.38 t/ha). Mineral fertilizers (50e62%), seed (8e26%) and irrigation water (11e17%) consumed the bulk of the input energy for all cropping systems. The total input energy was highest under colocasiaeradishepotato (59919 MJ/ha) and the lowest in riceewheat (38244 MJ/ha). Colocasiaeonionefrenchbean, with the highest system productivity, produced the highest energy productivity (1.203 kg/MJ). Colocasiaecorianderetomato, with the highest system biomass, produced higher energy ratio (30.4), human energy profitability (2813.4) and energy profitability (29.43). Colocasiaewheateokra (1362928 MJ/ha) recorded the highest total energy output. Human energy profitability was highest under colocasiaecorianderetomato (2813.4) indicating that it was the most labor energy efficient cropping system. Hence, the colocasiaecorinderetomato and colocasiae onionefrenchbean cropping systems are more suitable in the Indian Himalayas for their higher energy use efficiency and energy productivity, respectively, and are advised for wide adoption