Enhancing ecosystem services and energy use efficiency under organic and conventional nutrient management system to a sustainable arecanut based cropping system

The present study was undertaken to explore the impact of no nutrient, organic nutrition, and integrated nutrient management on ecosystem services, and the energy balance of the arecanut based intercropping system. Most indicators of ecosystem services were influenced significantly by nutrient management practices. The energy efficiency (1.72) and net energy (19625 MJ ha(-1)) improved significantly in the organic nutrient practice due to lower energy input (30722 MJ ha(-1)) and higher energy output (50347 MJ ha(-1)). The mean values of the indicator of dependence on non-renewable energy sources and an indicator of farm autonomy for organic farms were 0.3 and 0.46, respectively. The study suggests 46% of the inputs produced in the farm were recycled in the organic farms. The significantly higher sustainability yield index (0.25), sustainability value index (0.44) and system economic efficiency (21 USD day(-1)) were observed in the organic nutrient system. The study concludes that organic nutrition along with adequate management is required to harness the potential of arecanut based cropping system to improve energy efficiency, ecosystem services, and soil quality to achieve sustainability. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.