Waste derived organic amendments enhance energy efficient and carbon smart crop production

Abstract Conventional farming practices are energy-intensive and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions making low-carbon agricultural production essential for India’s net-zero transition. This study assessed the ability of blended organic amendments developed by integrating agricultural residues such as potato peels and paddy husk ash with farmyard manure (FYM) and compost—for enhancing carbon efficiency and resource-use sustainability in a baby corn (Zea mays L.), kabuli gram (Cicer arietinum L.), and vegetable cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) cropping system. A two-year field experiment (2020–2022) was conducted at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, using seven treatments including control, FYM, and blended organic amendments to evaluate productivity, energy dynamics, and carbon metrics. The blended organic amendment based on the 100% recommended dose of nutrients through paddy husk ash (PHA) demonstrated the highest system productivity and economic returns (₹680.6 × 10³ ha⁻¹), along with superior agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency. It also improved energy-use efficiency and reduced specific energy input while yielding the highest carbon output (9269 kg CE ha⁻¹), net carbon gain (8207 kg CE ha⁻¹), and carbon sustainability index (7.7), indicating strong mitigation potential. In contrast, the rice-residue compost-based treatment showed the highest carbon footprint. Overall, the results demonstrate that waste derived organic amendments can enhance energy efficiency and carbon sustainability of cropping systems while promoting circular resource use and climate resilient agriculture.