Energy Balance, Productivity and Resource-Use Efficiency of Diverse Sustainable Intensification Options of Rainfed Lowland Rice Systems under Different Fertility Scenarios

Rice-based cropping systems (RBCS) are a kingpin of global food security and rice fallow is one the largest (>14 m ha) RBCS. A three-year study was carried out to develop sustainable intensification options efficient nutrient management protocols RBCS with greater water energy productivity more profits. Rice-lentil, rice-linseed rice-rapeseed were tested in split-plot design practices involving fertilizer levels (50%, 75% 100% recommended dose; RDF), green manuring Sesbania (SGM) residue incorporation (RRI). The results indicated that SGM produced significantly better productivity, enhanced 6.4–22.7% yield succeeding crops increased profits by ~20%. Application 75 or RDF 24.5–30.3% higher grain rabi crops. System resulted an additional equivalent (REY) ~1–1.6 t ha−1. consumed relatively (76,793 MJ ha−1) but at same time, output (182,657 ha−1), net (105,864 intensity (1.68 INR−1) human profitability (787) than RRI. However, RRI recorded ratio (2.42), (0.082 kg MJ−1) (1.42 MJ−1). system (186,305 (112,029 other systems. Overall, considering resource-use efficiency profits, coupled may be as option