Plant density and row arrangement of lentil (Lens culinaris) and mustard. (Brassicajuncea) intercropping for higher productivity under Bihr plateau

Abstract

A 3-year field experiment was conducted during winter season of 1995-98 to find out the suitable plant density and row arrangement of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) + mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] intercropping for higher productivity. Treatments consisted of 9 combinations of lentil + mustard intercropping along with their respective sole cropping. Six intercrop systems were in additive series with 100% lentil + 25 and 50% mustard each in 3 row ra- 3:l and 5:1) and the remaining 3 in replacement series where 33, 25 tios (2 :I, and 17% lentil was replaced by mustard in the corresponding row ratios of 2:1, 3 :1 and 5:l. Grain yield of intercropped lentil and mustard decreased irrespective of their plant density and row arrangement, except the grain yield d lentil under 100% lentil + 25% mustard and 83% lentil + 17% mustard both in 5 : 1 row ratio. Reduction of lentil yield was more than that of mustard yield with resped to he corresponding plant density, end the extent of redudion in intercrop lentil yield was more in additive (32.5%) than in replacement (29.3%) series, whereas the reverse was true for mustafd Intercropping of 100% lentil + 25% mustardin 5 : 1 row ratio produced as high intemap lentil yield (1,120 kglha) as sole lentil (1,250 kg/ha) with b bonus yield of mustard 4700 kg/ha) and had maximum lentil-equiva- lent yield (1,850 kglha), net return (Rs 19,82Uha), land-equivalent ratio (1.54), monetary advantage (Rs 8,738ha) and net benefit : I- cost ratio (3.89).