Performance of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) based intercropping systems

Abstract

There is need to enhance production of food grains, oilseed, pulses, spices, fruits and vegetables. Higher sys- tem productivity can be realized with the integration of different crops without compromising the yield of base crops. Hence a field experiment on effect of intercropping system on growth, yield and system productivity was conducted at National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan during rabi 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07. The experiment comprising of 13 treatments viz., sole coriander, sole onion, sole garlic, sole carrot, cori- ander + garlic (1:1), coriander + garlic (1:2), coriander + garlic (2:2), coriander + carrot (1:1), coriander + carrot (1:2), coriander + carrot (2:2), coriander + onion(1:1), coriander + onion (1:2) and coriander + onion (2:2) was laid in randomized block design with three replications. Based on three year study it was observed that growth param- eters, yield attributes and seed yield of coriander recorded was higher with coriander + intercrops in 1:1 ratio. The association of carrot with coriander at all ratios proved superior over onion and garlic. Besides sole cropping, the yield of intercrops recorded was higher 1:2 ratio as compared to 1:1 and 2: 2 but yield attributes of these inter- crops obtained was higher in 1:1 ratio.. The highest coriander equivalent yield (2.11 t/ha), net return (Rs 50,701 / ha) and B:C ratio (2.16) was exhibited by 1:1 ratio followed by 2:2 ratio. Coriander + carrot with all ratios gave higher coriander equivalent yield, net return, benefit cost ratio and land equivalent ratio over coriander inter- cropped with onion/garlic. Thus coriander + carrot in 1:1 ratio is best for realizing higher system productivity and profitability.