Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

Carbon balance in agriculture is important in terms of crop production. A study was conducted to assess the potential of carbon savings in rice-wheat production systems under conservation agriculture (CA) practices as compared to conventional practices (CP). A survey was carried out in four selected states (Punjab, Haryana, MP and UP) of India to assess the carbon foot print and farmers adoption of CA as well as CP. Carbon input and output for rice-wheat cropping system were analysed to quantify the total carbon consumption with CA and CP. The carbon output per unit carbon input was found significantly higher in CA practices as compared to CP in all four surveyed states. However, this ratio was found maximum in CA of Punjab (12.4) followed by CA of Haryana (12.0), CA of UP (10.8), CP of Punjab (9.2), CP of Haryana (8.6), CA of MP (7.8), CP of UP (7.7) and CP of MP (4.3). Maximum carbon productivity was observed in CA of Punjab (16.6 kg grain/kg CE) followed by CA of Haryana (15.4 kg grain/kg CE), CA of MP (13.7 kg grain/kg CE), CP of Punjab (12.4 kg grain/kg CE), CA of UP (11.8 kg grain/kg CE), CP of Haryana (10.9 kg grain/kg CE), CP of UP (8.5 kg grain/kg CE) and CP of MP (7.8 kg grain/kg CE). It is concluded from the results that the carbon use efficiency and productivity can be improved by adopting appropriate conservation agriculture practices supported with suitable agricultural machinery.