Effects of resource conservation technologies on productivity, nutrient acquisition, employment generation and energetics of maize (Zea mays)-based cropping systems in North-Western Himalayan region.

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season (kharif) 2012–13 and winter season (rabi) 2013–14 at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, to evaluate the effect of resource conservation technologies (RCTs) on productivity, nutrient acquisition and energetics of maize (Zea mays L.)-based cropping system. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design, replicated thrice with 2 tillage methods, viz. zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT); and 3 cropping systems, viz. maize (Zea mays L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (M-W), baby corn (Zea mays) + Frenchbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)-pea (Pisum sativum var. hortense.)-summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) (BC+FB-P-SS) and maize + soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]-gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L.) + toria (Brassica campestris var. black toria) (M+S-GS+T) in main plot; and 2 mulch levels, viz. no mulch (NM) and cropresidue mulch (CRM); and 2 fertilizer levels, viz. recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and 75% of RDF + 25% N through FYM (INM) in subplot. The results revealed that CT resulted in significantly higher maize grain-equivalent yield (MGEY 11.4%), biological yield (12.3%), system output energy (7.9%), net energy (13.4%), energy productivity (12.8%), energy output efficiency (7.9%) and energy intensity in economic terms (4.6%) than ZT. Among the cropping systems, BC+FB-P-SS showed higher MGEY (190.8%), biological yield (97.3%), employment generation (55.9%) and energy productivity (138.0%) and also consumed higher energy input (29.3%) than the traditional M-W cropping system. The N, P and K uptake was the highest in M+S-GS+T. Application of crop-residue mulch and INM resulted in significantly higher MGEY, biological yield and system energy input. Thus conventional tillage proved best in terms of MGEY, biological yield and energy indices by providing more yield than zero tillage. Further, diversifying the existing cropping system with vegetable-based cropping system can be more profitable to the hill farmers and can provide more regular employment opportunities.