Long-term effects of sustainable farming systems on carbon footprint, energy use efficiency and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under subtropical conditions

Abstract

With increasing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, understanding their long-term impacts on crop productivity, resource-use efficiency and environmental sustainability has become essential. The experiment was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jammu during the rabi seasons from 2020–21 to 2024–25 to evaluate the long-term effects of sustainable farming systems on carbon budgeting, energy indices and productivity of different wheat varieties under the subtropical conditions of Jammu region. The study was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with 3 replications comprising 12 treatment combinations. Two factors were evaluated: the first factor consisted of four wheat varieties (JAUW-584, JAUW-672, DBW-222 and HD-3237) whereas the second factor included integrated nutrient management (INM), organic farming and natural farming. The results revealed that the wheat variety HD-3237 under INM recorded higher dry matter accumulation, grain yield, yield sustainability index, production efficiency, nutrient uptake, carbon sustainability index, net returns and benefit-cost ratio along with the lowest carbon footprint. In contrast, HD-3237 under organic farming exhibited higher soil organic matter, greater carbon sequestration and the lowest bulk density. Among the energy indices, HD-3237 under natural farming recorded the highest energy productivity and energy-use efficiency along with the lowest input energy requirement. Overall, the wheat variety HD-3237 under INM recorded the highest grain yield, nutrient uptake, carbon sustainability index and benefit-cost ratio. However, HD-3237 under organic farming resulted in higher soil organic carbon and carbon sequestration whereas the same variety under natural farming recorded the highest energy productivity and energy-use efficiency.