Assessment of productivity, economic returns and energy efficiency of diversified cropping systems under irrigated conditions in Southern Telangana

A field investigation was conducted to evaluate the productivity, profitability and energetics of eight cropping-system modules under irrigated dry conditions in the Southern Telangana Zone. Sweet corn-broccoli-bhendi (T7) recorded the highest rice grain equivalent yield (21,463 kg ha−1), land-use efficiency (78.90%), system productivity (58.8 kg ha−1 day−1), system profitability (₹943.7 ha−1 day−1) and production efficiency (75 kg ha−1 day−1). Maize-groundnut (T5) recorded the highest reported kharif net returns (₹1,06,976 ha−1), while T7 recorded the highest reported net returns during rabi (₹1,58,566 ha−1) and summer (₹1,02,262 ha−1). Energy indicators varied among cropping systems. Okra-potato (T8) recorded the highest energy output (515,852 MJ ha−1), energy ratio (23.84), net energy (494,212 MJ ha−1) and energy productivity (0.49 kg MJ−1), along with the lowest specific energy (2.04 MJ kg−1). Overall, sweet corn-broccoli-bhendi (T7) showed promising productivity and economic performance under the evaluated conditions, while cropping-system selection should also consider production costs, resource availability and market opportunities.