SHEELAVANTAR, M NGUGGARI, A K2019-09-262019-09-262002No . of references 122http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810129455Three field experiments were conducted at Regional Research Station, Bijapur, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad with the objectives to find out optimum sowing time, plant population, nitrogen level and stage of harvest for higher yield and economic returns of mesta and identification of suitable crops and spatial arrangement for mesta based intercropping system during 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The experiment on effect of plant population and nitrogen on mesta consisted of four varieties (AS-73-CP-560, AMV-3, AMV-4 and Local), three plant populations (0.22, 0.33 and 0.66 million plants ha"1) and four nitrogen levels (0,30,60 and 90 kg N ha"1). In the second experiment on effect of date of sowing, stage of harvest and plant population, there were four dates of sowing (I F.N.of July, II F.N.of July, I F.N.of August and II F.N.of August), two stages of harvest (at 50% flowering and at maturity) and three plant populations (0.22, 0.33 and 0.66 million plants ha"1). Both the experiments were laid out in split- split plot design with three replications. The experiment on intecropping of mesta with millets at varying row proportions consisted of three millet intercrops (pearl millet, foxtail millet and finger millet) and four row proportions (1:2, 1:3, 2:4 and 1:5 ) along with their sole crops. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Fibre yield of mesta was significantly higher with AS-73-CP-560 (982 kg ha"1) compared to AMV-3 and Local (798 and 588 kg ha"1, respectively) but was on par with AMV-4. Similar trend was observed with respect to green matter and dry stalk yield ha"1. AS-73-CP-560, AMV-3 and AMV-4 were on par with each other in their seed yield (646, 612 and 636 kg ha'1, respectively) but significantly superior over local (214 kg ha"1). Planting of mesta at lower plant population (0.22 million ha"1) with 60 kg N ha"1 was found significantly superior in fibre and seed yields and in economic returns. Fibre yield, seed yield, green matter and dry stalk yields of mesta were significantly higher with sowing during I F.N. of July compared to later sowing dates. Harvesting the crop at maturity both for fibre and seed was more profitable compared to harvesting the crop at 50 per cent flowering. Intercropping of mesta + pearl millet at 1:2 row proportion gave significantly higher fiber equivalent yield (1507 kg ha"1) and net returns (Rs 5875 ha"1) followed by 1:3 row proportion of the same intercropping system (1499 kg ha"1 and Rs 5818 ha'1, respectively). However, benefit-cost ratio was higher with mesta + pearl millet intercropping at 1:3 row proportion row proportion (1.85).ennullThesis