The Effect of Diverse Intercropping System on Growth Indices, Yield and Profitability of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.): Variety Azad Mahak

Abstract

Intercropping enhances crop yield and quality by growing different crop species together on the same piece of land in distinct row combinations. Hence, a field experiment was conducted to study the suitable combination of mustard based intercropping with different crops at students’ instructional farm, C. S. Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur (U.P.) during Rabi season 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatment combinations viz., T1 Sole Mustard, T2 Mustard: Chickpea (1:1), T3 Mustard: Chickpea (2:1), T4 Mustard: Lentil (1:1), T5 Mustard: Lentil (2:1), T6 Mustard: Linseed (1:1), T7 Mustard: Linseed (2:1), T8 Mustard: Field Pea (1:1) and T9 Mustard: Field Pea (2:1) with replicated thrice. The result revealed that growth attributes in the intercropping system were most notably observed in sole Mustard, with the Mustard + Lentil (1:1) system following closely. The Mustard + Lentil (1:1) intercropping system yielded a significantly higher mustard equivalent yield (2.77 t ha-1). Notably, the greatest net returns were obtained from sole Mustard cultivation (INR 151,045.50 ha-1), though the Mustard + Lentil (1:1) system also produced substantial returns (INR 144,001.00 ha-1). Furthermore, the benefit-cost ratio was highest for sole Mustard (5.05), with the Mustard + Lentil (1:1) system (4.82). In conclusion, these results support the superior productivity and profitability of sole Mustard cultivation, closely followed by the Mustard + Lentil (1:1) intercropping system.