Effect of weed management on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) + Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) intercropping system under irrigated conditions of Jammu region

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during the winter ( rabi) season of 200910 and 201011 at Chatha, Jammu, to assess the yield along with the monetary benefits in chickpea ( Cicer ar ietinum L.) and Indian mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] intercropping system with different weed-management practices. Significantly higher values of plant height of chickpea (63.36 cm) and Indian mustard (174.72 cm), dry-matter accumulation of chickpea (22.13 g/plant) and Indian mustard (117.22 g/plant) were recorded under sole stands of the each crop followed by chickpea + Indian mustard (replacement series) intercropping system. Both the sole crops gave higher yields than chickpea + Indian mustard, when grown in additive and replacement series in the respective order. The highest chickpea-equivalent yield (1.39 t/ha), land-equivalent ratio (1.65), net returns ( 24,415/ha) and benefit: cost (1.63) ratio were obtained in chickpea + Indian mustard intercropping system in additive followed by replace- ment series. Weed management practices not only reduced the density and dry weight of weeds but also in- creased crop production potential of the intercropping system (productivity). Application of pendimethalin @ 1 kg/ ha as pre-emergence recorded the maximum weed-control efficiency (85.16%), net returns ( 20,373/ha) and ben- efit: cost ratio (1.71) followed by the application of fluchloralin @ 1kg/ha.