Energy budgeting, economic feasibility and productivity of diversified cotton–wheat cropping systems in dryland areas

Abstract

Resource-efficient agricultural production is critical for improving energy efficiency, strengthening agroecosystem resilience and ensuring food security under current climate variability. To address this, the present study evaluated energy efficiency within the cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.)–wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system in a two-cycle field experiment. The inclusion of mungbean ( Vigna radiate L.), potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), and maize ( Zea mays L.) as follow-up crops was assessed using energy indices, productivity and soil quality characteristics. Among the tested systems, the highest energy output was recorded in the cotton–wheat–potato sequence (76.8 × 10 4  MJ ha −1 ), followed by cotton–wheat–maize (47.19 × 10 4  MJ ha −1 ) and cotton–wheat–mungbean (43.66 × 10 4  MJ ha −1 ). Furthermore, energy productivity (0.63 kg MJ −1 ) and the output-to-input ratio (12.15) were also greatest in the cotton–wheat–potato system. Conversely, the lowest energy consumption was recorded in the cotton–wheat–fallow rotation (32,451 MJ ha −1 ), followed by cotton–wheat–mungbean (46,785 MJ ha −1 ) and cotton–wheat–maize (56,724 MJ ha −1 ). Despite high energy input in the cotton–wheat–potato rotation (63,264 MJ ha −1 ), this system also generated substantial energy output (768,810 MJ ha −1 ). Integrating mungbean into the cotton-wheat cropping system played a crucial role in enhancing soil fertility, promoting energy efficiency and contributing to food security. These findings provide critical insights into resource productivity within cotton–wheat systems and identify the most suitable cropping strategy for achieving energy efficiency alongside maximum profitability.