Legume stover and nitrogen management effects on system productivity, energetics and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum)-based cropping systems

A fixed plot field experiment was conducted at New Delhi during the kharif and rabi season of 200910 and 201011 to evaluate the effect of cropping systems, legume residue management, and N levels on system pro- ductivity, energetic and economics of wheat {Triticum aestivum(L.) emend. Fiori & Paol}based cropping systems. The system productivity was the highest(8.62 t/ha)in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)wheat cropping system with residue incorporation closely followed by without residue incorporation (8.23t/ha). Groundnutwheat and soybean {Glycine max (L.) Merrill}wheat cropping system with residue incorporation recorded higher mean en- ergy use efficiency (11.84 and 11.80 respectively), while maize (Zea mays L.)wheat produced more gross energy output (268.7 103 MJ/ha) and net energy (242.55103 MJ/ha). On an average, groundnutwheat cropping system with residue incorporation recorded higher net returns (72.01 103 /ha), net returns per rupee invested (1.97) and system productivity (8.62 t/ha). System productivity, gross returns and net returns were the highest with 150 kgN/ ha, however application of 150 kg N/ha was statistically similar to 100 kg N/ha with regards to net returns and net returns per rupee invested. There was saving of 50 kg N/ ha in wheat cultivation, when it was grown as succeed- ing crop after legume.