Oilseed Brassica Species Diversification and Crop Geometry Influence the Productivity, Economics, and Environmental Footprints under Semi-Arid Regions

Sanjay Singh Rathore, Subhash Babu, Kapila Shekhawat, Vinod K. Singh, Pravin Kumar Upadhyay, Rajiv Kumar Singh, Rishi Raj, Harveer Singh and Fida Mohammad Zaki
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Sanjay Singh Rathore: Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi 110012, India
Subhash Babu: Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi 110012, India
Kapila Shekhawat: Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi 110012, India
Vinod K. Singh: ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad 500059, India
Pravin Kumar Upadhyay: Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi 110012, India
Rajiv Kumar Singh: Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi 110012, India
Rishi Raj: Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi 110012, India
Harveer Singh: ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed Mustard Research (DRMR), Bharatpur 321303, India
Fida Mohammad Zaki: Department of Agronomy, Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Kadahar 431714, Afghanistan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: The article presents the findings of three-year field experiments conducted during 2017–2020 on the productivity, economics, and environmental footprints of the oilseed Brassica (OSB) with species diversification and crop geometry alterations in semi-arid regions of India. The objectives of the field experimentation was to assess the system of mustard intensification (SMI) in enhancing productivity and profitability with ensuring fewer environmental footprints. The results revealed that Brassica carinata gave a maximum seed productivity (3173.8 kg ha −1 ) and net returns (US$ 1141.72 ha −1 ) under a crop geometry of 60 cm × 60 cm. Further, an increase of 38% and 54% in seed yield and net returns from B. carinata was observed over the existing traditional Brassica juncea with conventional crop geometry. The maximum energy output was also recorded from B. carinata (246,445 MJ ha −1 ). The broader crop geometry (60 cm × 60 cm) also resulted in maximum energy output. The environmental footprint was lesser due to increased carbon gain (CG), carbon output (CO), and carbon production efficiency (CPE) and lower greenhouse gas intensity (GHGi) in B. carinata . However, the maximum water-use efficiency (WUE) was recorded in B. juncea (19.15 kg per ha-mm), with a minimum water footprint (WFP), whereas, greater crop geometry (60 cm × 60 cm) resulted in lower WFPs and better irrigation water use. Enhanced seed yield, economics, and fewer environmental footprints were observed at broader crop geometry in B. carinata over remaining OSBs.

Keywords: carbon sustainability; greenhouse gas emission; oilseed brassica; edible oil; system of mustard intensification; water footprint (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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