Comparative Study of Energy Utilization and Green House Gas Emission by Hybrid Rice Grown under Two Different Cultivation Systems in Red Lateritic Zone of West Bengal

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Agriculture Farm, Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India during kharif season of 2015 to compare rice cultivation in conventional transplanting (CT) and system of rice intensification (SRI) in terms of energy use, energy input output relationship and green house gas emission. Results showed that regardless of cultivars, conventional transplanting consumed 62.39% higher energy over SRI. Maximum energy input was associated with non renewable and indirect sources. Higher dose of nitrogenous fertilizer had contributed to 32.35% and 26.26% to the total input energy in CT and SRI respectively. Energy use efficiency (13.22), energy productivity (6.94 kg MJ-1), energy profitability (12.22) and energy intensity (4.60 MJ Rs-1) of hybrid rice varieties were noted higher in SRI. Maximum green house gas emission from rice field was also attributed to fertilizer nitrogen followed by diesel in both the system. Total green house gas emission in CT was estimated to 834.85 (kg CO2ha-1) i.e. 1.8 times of SRI. Engirdling different energy indices, total input energy and green house gas emission, the system of rice intensification was emerged as the most energy efficient and sustainable rice production system in resource stricken areas (Red Lateritic Zone).