Inter- and Intra-cropping of vegetables in castor (Ricinus communis) on Inceptisols of dryland conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Dry Farmmg Research Station, Solapur, during the rainy seasons of 1995-2001, to study creeper and bushy-type vegetable crops in castor (Ricinus communis L.) to find out vegetable crop suitable for intra and intercropping in castor on lnceptisols of dryland conditions. lntercropping of castor + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] in 1 :2 row proportion gave significantly highest monetary returns (Rs 15,3081ha) over rest of the treatments except castor + ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.] intra-cropping system (Rs 13,312lha) which was on a par with castor + clusterbean (1:2). The mean seed yield of sole castor was 653/ha, which was more than rest of the cropping systems, though the monetary returns were only Rs 8,4891ha. The next best was castor + ridge gourd intra-cropping system (581 kglha). Amongst all the vegetables, ridge gourd showed higher moisture-use efficiency (3.81 kglhdmm) followed by vegetable clusterbean (3.60 kglhdmm). Inter- cropping of castor + clusterbean in 1 :2 row proportion recorded the highest sustainable value index (0.84), while castor + ridge gourd intra-cropping was next best system (0.79). The benefit : cost ratio was highest in intra-crop- ping of castor + ridge gourd (2.13) and castor + clusterbean intercropping system (1.87).