Cropping System: Research Approach

Both intensification and diversification of cropping systems may allow improving the productivity and sustainability of agricultural production in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), but the choices to be made require integrated assessment of various cropping systems. Productivity, energy use efficiency, and nutrient uptake generally increased with increasing cropping intensity. Positive residual effects of potato and jute on yield and energy output of subsequently grown crops were observed as well as maintenance or improvement of soil properties such as soil organic matter, available P, and available K. The P balance was positive for most systems, except for jute-containing systems. However, negative K balances occurred due to almost complete removal of crop biomass in all systems, suggesting that recommended rates of applied K fertilizer were too low for sustaining soil K supply over the longer term. Cropping systems containing potato had the highest levels of yield, net return, benefit to cost ratio and energy productivity, but energy use efficiency was reduced due to higher energy consumption in these systems.