Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India
Himalayas with diverse topographical and ecological zones sustain diverse agroecosystems. Differences in precipitation regimes, cropping systems, land-use systems and availability of resources significantly affect energy flow within agroecosystems (AGEs) of the region. Thus, the present study was ai...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022027888 |
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| author | Surendra Singh Bargali Charu Shahi Kiran Bargali Bhawna Negi Kavita Khatri |
| author_facet | Surendra Singh Bargali Charu Shahi Kiran Bargali Bhawna Negi Kavita Khatri |
| author_sort | Surendra Singh Bargali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Himalayas with diverse topographical and ecological zones sustain diverse agroecosystems. Differences in precipitation regimes, cropping systems, land-use systems and availability of resources significantly affect energy flow within agroecosystems (AGEs) of the region. Thus, the present study was aimed to evaluate the energy use pattern and economic profitability of different sized agroecosystems (small, medium and large) along the altitudinal gradient [very low altitude (VLA), low altitude (LA), mid altitude (MA) and high altitude (HA)] of Central Himalaya, India. The sampling was carried out following random stratified design and total 108 agroecosystems (4 altitudes× 3 sizes × 3 replicates × 3 seasons) were assessed. Data collected on quantities of agricultural inputs and outputs were converted to energy values using standard energetic constants and monetary values on the basis of local market price. Low altitude agroecosystems predominantly support cereal + pulse based cropping systems while, high altitudes favour cash crop cultivation (vegetables). Significant variation (P < 0.05) in total input and output energy was observed seasonally, while differences were insignificant across sizes and altitudes. Irrespective of the sizes and seasons, farmyard manure (organic fertilizer) contributed major share of total energy inputs across all altitudes in the order: HA AGEs (66.7 %) > MA AGEs (66.1 %) > VLA AGEs (62.6 %) > LA AGEs (52.1 %). The share of non-renewable energy inputs (inorganic fertilizers and fuel) declined along altitudinal gradient as: LA (31.1 %) > VLA (26.9 %) > MA (12.5 %) > HA (11.8 %). Seasonally, highest net energy was recorded during rainy season (92286 M J ha−1 yr−1) followed by summer (68906 M J ha−1 yr−1) and winter (18686 M J ha−1 yr−1). The economic yield significantly increased with increasing altitude and was recorded maximum for large sized agroecosystems. Energy use efficiency (EUE) differed distinctly (P < 0.05) across seasons and was recorded maximum during rainy season (8) while, across sizes and altitudes it did not vary significantly. EUE did not reflect any definite pattern along altitudinal gradient [HA AGEs (3.84) > VLA AGEs (3.81) > LA AGEs (3.56) > MA AGEs (3.01)]. Benefit-cost ratios (BCR) differed significantly (P < 0.05) along altitudes and was maximum at VLA AGEs (5.27) however, differences were insignificant across sizes and seasons. From present study, it can be concluded that season and altitude had significant impact on the energetics and economic flow of the agroecosystems while, no marked differences were observed for size classes. High altitude agroecosystems were energetically efficient while, monetary wise very low altitude systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:55:10Z |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:55:10Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-bfe0ec55a41042b798eace1c0b50c2ac2022-12-22T04:35:58ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402022-11-01811e11500Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, IndiaSurendra Singh Bargali0Charu Shahi1Kiran Bargali2Bhawna Negi3Kavita Khatri4Corresponding author.; Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, IndiaDepartment of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, IndiaDepartment of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, IndiaDepartment of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, IndiaDepartment of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263001, Uttarakhand, IndiaHimalayas with diverse topographical and ecological zones sustain diverse agroecosystems. Differences in precipitation regimes, cropping systems, land-use systems and availability of resources significantly affect energy flow within agroecosystems (AGEs) of the region. Thus, the present study was aimed to evaluate the energy use pattern and economic profitability of different sized agroecosystems (small, medium and large) along the altitudinal gradient [very low altitude (VLA), low altitude (LA), mid altitude (MA) and high altitude (HA)] of Central Himalaya, India. The sampling was carried out following random stratified design and total 108 agroecosystems (4 altitudes× 3 sizes × 3 replicates × 3 seasons) were assessed. Data collected on quantities of agricultural inputs and outputs were converted to energy values using standard energetic constants and monetary values on the basis of local market price. Low altitude agroecosystems predominantly support cereal + pulse based cropping systems while, high altitudes favour cash crop cultivation (vegetables). Significant variation (P < 0.05) in total input and output energy was observed seasonally, while differences were insignificant across sizes and altitudes. Irrespective of the sizes and seasons, farmyard manure (organic fertilizer) contributed major share of total energy inputs across all altitudes in the order: HA AGEs (66.7 %) > MA AGEs (66.1 %) > VLA AGEs (62.6 %) > LA AGEs (52.1 %). The share of non-renewable energy inputs (inorganic fertilizers and fuel) declined along altitudinal gradient as: LA (31.1 %) > VLA (26.9 %) > MA (12.5 %) > HA (11.8 %). Seasonally, highest net energy was recorded during rainy season (92286 M J ha−1 yr−1) followed by summer (68906 M J ha−1 yr−1) and winter (18686 M J ha−1 yr−1). The economic yield significantly increased with increasing altitude and was recorded maximum for large sized agroecosystems. Energy use efficiency (EUE) differed distinctly (P < 0.05) across seasons and was recorded maximum during rainy season (8) while, across sizes and altitudes it did not vary significantly. EUE did not reflect any definite pattern along altitudinal gradient [HA AGEs (3.84) > VLA AGEs (3.81) > LA AGEs (3.56) > MA AGEs (3.01)]. Benefit-cost ratios (BCR) differed significantly (P < 0.05) along altitudes and was maximum at VLA AGEs (5.27) however, differences were insignificant across sizes and seasons. From present study, it can be concluded that season and altitude had significant impact on the energetics and economic flow of the agroecosystems while, no marked differences were observed for size classes. High altitude agroecosystems were energetically efficient while, monetary wise very low altitude systems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022027888AgroecosystemsAltitudinal gradientAgroecosystem sizesBenefit-cost ratioEnergy budgetEnergy efficiency |
| spellingShingle | Surendra Singh Bargali Charu Shahi Kiran Bargali Bhawna Negi Kavita Khatri Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India Heliyon Agroecosystems Altitudinal gradient Agroecosystem sizes Benefit-cost ratio Energy budget Energy efficiency |
| title | Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India |
| title_full | Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India |
| title_fullStr | Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India |
| title_short | Energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central Himalaya, India |
| title_sort | energy and monetary efficiencies at the different altitudinal agroecosystems in central himalaya india |
| topic | Agroecosystems Altitudinal gradient Agroecosystem sizes Benefit-cost ratio Energy budget Energy efficiency |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844022027888 |
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