Assessing the impact of nutrient management on productivity, economics, soil quality, energy efficiency, and life cycle assessment in rice-based farming systems

This study investigated the impacts of different nutrient management practices on crop productivity, economics, soil quality indicators, energy analysis, and life cycle assessment in rice-based cropping systems. The results revealed significant differences in productivity among the treatments, with the organic rice+azolla+fish+poultry-cowpea system resulting in greater grain and straw yields, resulting in 193% and 32% greater rice equivalent yields (REYs) than those of the control and inorganic rice‒rice systems, respectively. The organic rice+azolla+fish+poultry-cowpea system also recorded the highest net return, with a 30.3% improvement over the inorganic rice‒rice system. Compared with the control and inorganic rice‒rice systems, the organic rice‒azolla‒fish‒poultry‒cowpea system resulted in a 49% increase in SOC. Moreover, nutrient availability (NPK) was significantly greater in the organic rice+azolla+fish+poultry-cowpea system than in the other systems, indicating its potential for sustainable nutrient management. Energy analysis revealed that different nutrient management practices resulted in varying energy inputs and outputs. The organic rice + azolla – fish - poultry - cowpea system recorded the highest energy output and efficiency. The organic rice + azolla – fish - poultry - cowpea system recorded the lowest specific energy consumption, indicating its efficient energy utilization. Life cycle assessment (LCA) revealed that the organic rice+azolla+fish+poultry-cowpea system recorded the lowest global warming potential (GWP) and other environmental benefits, making it an eco-friendly alternative. In conclusion, compared with other nutrient management practices, the organic rice+azolla+fish+poultry-cowpea system recorded superior crop productivity, economic viability, soil quality, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits. • Integrated rice-fish system showed highest REY of 32% over conventional system • Integrated rice-fish system achieved highest net return (30.3%) over conventional system • Organic system led to 49% increase in SOC with higher nutrient availability (NPK) • Integrated rice-fish system had highest energy efficiency with lowest specific energy • LCA indicated lowest GWP for integrated rice-fish system making as climate resilience