Raised bed planting increases economic efficiency and energy use efficiency while reducing the environmental footprint for wheat after rice production

Finding sustainable ways to produce more grain while minimizing negative environmental impacts is critical. The raised bed planting (RBP) pattern was shown to be an effective measure to enhance the productivity of wheat after rice production in areas vulnerable to waterlogging. However, comprehensive evaluations from environmental, economic and ecosystem benefit perspectives have rarely been performed. In this study, a consecutive 5-year field experiment was conducted in the Yangtze River Plain, China, with two planting patterns, flat planting (FP) and RBP, to assess the environmental footprint, energy balance and cost-benefit analysis for wheat after rice production. The results showed that the RBP pattern generated significant effects—increased grain yield, net return and energy use efficiency and a decreased carbon footprint per unit of yield/biomass—compared with the FP pattern. The advantages of the RBP pattern over the FP pattern were ascribed mainly to the 13.6% reduction in production costs, 10.1% lower energy inputs, and 10.0% reduction in indirect greenhouse gas emissions benefiting from saved machinery, diesel and seed inputs. The energy output and gross crop value for the RBP pattern were 13.3% and 15.1% higher than those for the FP pattern. Therefore, the RBP pattern reduced production costs and energy inputs but increased wheat production, energy use efficiency, and economic benefits and minimized the environmental impact. In conclusion, the RBP pattern is promising for wheat after rice cultivation from the perspective of achieving sustainable agricultural development and ensuring national food security.