Tamil Nadu Agricultural University , veeramani.p@tnau.ac.in
Abstract: (297 Views)
Sustainable improvements in agricultural production and productivity necessitate efficient resource utilization; relay intercropping can improve crop yield and land productivity while using fewer inputs. Thus, in a three-year field trial, different cucurbit vegetable crops were tested to see if they were suitable for relay intercropping with perennial castor (Ricinus communis L.). These treatments encompassed various intercropping strategies involving castor, each paired with a different cucurbit: bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula), snake gourd (Trichsanthus cucumerina), bottle gourd (Legenaria siceraria), coccinia (Trichsanthus dioica), and cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Castor and cucumber relay intercropping systems produced the highest castor equivalent yield (1701 kg/ha), followed by castor and ridge gourd (1596 kg/ha). Among all the cucurbit intercropping systems, the castor + cucumber relay system had the highest productivity (4.66 kg/ha/day), profitability (338.8 Rs/ha/day), and relative economic efficiency (198.5%). The best moisture-use efficiency was achieved by castor and bitter gourd relay intercropping (6.58 kg/ha/mm), followed by castor and bottle gourd relay intercropping (6.35 kg/ha/mm). There was a higher net return for relay intercropping of castor and cucumber (Rs.1,23,662/ha), followed by castor and ridge gourd (Rs.1,20,515/ha). Perennial sole castor produced 1312 kg of seeds per hectare, despite its low monetary returns of Rs 41,801/hectare. It has been found that relay intercropping between castor and ridge gourd (3.29), followed by castor and bitter gourd (3.29), produces the highest benefit-cost ratio. As a result, the relay intercropping system, which determines the competitive interaction and productivity of castor and cucurbits, can provide the greatest benefits.
Article Type: Original Research |
Subject:
Crop Ecology
Received: 2023/11/14 | Accepted: 2024/01/11 | Published: 2024/03/31
Received: 2023/11/14 | Accepted: 2024/01/11 | Published: 2024/03/31
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