A field experiment was conducted during 1986-88 at Coimbatore to study the energy and water-use efficiency of 6 selected, high-intensity cropping systems. Among the systems tested, fingermillet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] + onion (Allium cepa L.) - maize (Zea mays L.) + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] - tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, nom, cons.) system required maximum energy input (54.7 MJ/ha). The total energy output (714.4 MJ/ha) and energy-use efficiency (18.1) were however high est in the sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] + pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]- maize(Zea mays L.) + fodder maize system. The latter system also recorded the highest water-use efficiency of 240 kg dry matter/ha-cm, but the total quantity of water used was more in fingermillet + sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)-upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) + onion-sorghum + cowpea system (1,989. 6 cm/ha/year).
