Effect of intercropping in sugarcane (Saccharurn complex hybrid) on productivity of plant cane - ratoon system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v53i2.4849Keywords:
Autumn sugarcane, B C ratio, Bulk density, Cane-equivalent yield, Commercial cane sugar, Infiltration rate, Net returns, RatoonAbstract
A field experiment was conducted at Lucknow during 2002-03 and 2003-04 to assess the production potential and economic viability of autumn-planted sugarcanefibased intercropping systems, viz. sugarcane sole and sug- arcane intercropped with lentil (Lens esculentus), rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), Indian mustard (Brassica compestris), rapeseed (Brassica sp.) and maize (Zea mays L.) for cobs at 2 row spacings of 90 and 75 cm. The intercropping with rajmash had no adverse effect on the number of millable canes (1 17.6 thousandlha), cane length (21 3 cm) and cane yield (83.4 t/ha) compared with sole cane. Intercropping of rajmash and maize for green cobs resulted in highest net profit (Rs 89,883 and 83,815lha) and benefit : cost ratio (B : C) (2.53 and 2.34) com- pared with sole sugarcane (Rs 50,199 /ha). Ratoon sugarcane intercropped with lentil gave higher cane yield (64.2 t/ha) than that from sugarcane sole. Besides, there was improvement in the physico-chemical properties of the soil under sugarcane + lentil intercropping system with lower bulk density (1.26 g/cm3) and higher infiltration rate (4.75 mmlhr) compared with sole sugarcane. Inclusion of short-duration intercrops like rajmash, and maize for green cobs in autumn-planted sugarcane improved the productivity and profitability, and lentil intercropping im- proved the soil health under plantfiratoon system.References
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SINGH ETAL. [Vol. 53, No. 2
Table 4. Effect of cropping system on physico-chemical properties of soils
Cropping system After harvest of plant crop After harvest of ratoon cane
(2002-03) (2003-04)
Bulk density Infiltration rate Available N Bulk density Infiltration Available N
(-1(kgw (g/cm3) rate (kgw
Sugarcane (sole) 1.36 4.00 209.8 1.30 4.10 225.6 Sugarcane + lentil 1.26 4.75 246.9 1.28 4.25 238.4 Sugarcane + rajmash 1.28 4.50 231.9 1.30 4.15 232.2 Sugarcane + Indian mustard 1.34 3.75 190.5 1.34 3.75 220.2 Sugarcane + rapeseed 1.39 3.75 142.5 1.34 3.80 212.8 Sugarcane + maize 1.36 4.25 204.4 1.36 3.75 220.4 Initial value 1.35 4.00 196.3 1.36 4.00 209.8
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