Resource Conservation Practices in Rainfed Pearl Millet-Energy Input-Output Analysis

A field experiment with conservation agricultural practices in pearl millet was conducted at Hisar in 2005–09 with a set of five tillage treatments. Rainfall for the cropping season showed significant role in production and no tillage treatment resulted in lowest grain yields in all the years. Conventional tillage and low tillage treatments yielded at par proving that a preparatory tillage could be saved without compromising the yield. Lowest energy output/input ratio was observed for “No tillage” treatment obviously due to lowest grain yield. Highest ratio was for low tillage followed by two intercultures which was also accompanied by highest B:C values. Estimation of net energy additions over “no tillage” treatment revealed that for every additional one unit energy input in low tillage plus two interculture gave additionally highest output of 39.6 MJ closely followed by low tillage + one interculture + Atrazine spray. Energy input was around 7000MJ/ha for producing rainfed pearl millet and values were close to literature values. Two intercultural operations seemed to be necessary for optimum harvests through moisture conservation as well as weed management. Results indicated that ‘no tillage or low tillage’ concept needs a relook for rainfed areas as weed control is a vital aspect.