Productivity potential and economic viability of bed planted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) based intercropping systems in relation to row orientation and nutrients level
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Date
2015
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PAU
Abstract
The present study entitled ―Productivity potential and economic viability of bed planted wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) based intercropping systems in relation to row orientation and nutrients level‖ was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2012-13 and 2013-14. The soil of the experimental site was loamy sand in texture with normal pH and electrical conductivity, low in organic carbon, available N and K but medium in available P. In the first experiment, two direction of sowing viz. north-south and east-west were kept in main plots. Each main plot was divided into eleven sub plots to allocate the intercropping systems along with sole planting of wheat and the component crops. In the second experiment, five intercropping systems viz. wheat+spinach, wheat+fenugreek, wheat+oats fodder, wheat+linseed and wheat+canola were kept in main plots and four levels of recommended dose of nutrients applied to intercrops (0, 50, 75 and 100%) in the sub plots. The results showed that growing of wheat on raised beds laid in east-west row orientation gave higher yield advantage, wheat equivalent yield, system productivity and economic returns as compared to north-south row orientation. Yield of intercrops was not influenced by row orientation. Among different intercropping systems, wheat + oats fodder recorded significantly higher wheat equivalent yield, system productivity, LER and the economic returns as compared to sole wheat and all other intercropping systems. This system was also most effective to achieve the best land utilization, maximum productivity, monetary as well as intercropping advantage. Wheat+spinach was the second best intercropping system which also recorded significantly higher wheat equivalent yield, system productivity and net returns as compared to sole wheat. Among different nutrient levels applied to intercrops, it was observed that for getting higher wheat equivalent yield, system productivity and economic returns from wheat based intercropping systems, there is a need to apply full dose of nutrients to wheat and 100% recommended dose of nutrients to the intercrops on area basis. Quality parameters were not significantly influenced by different intercropping systems, row orientation and levels of nutrients applied to intercrops.
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Keywords
wheats, intercropping, yields, crops, biological phenomena, grain, planting, plant oils, nutrients, sowing