Effect of intercropping in sugarcane (Saccharurn complex hybrid) on productivity of plant cane - ratoon system
Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: 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.
Source: Indian Journal of Agronomy
Authors: A.K. SINGH, MENHl LAL, ARCHNA SUMAN
Institution: Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4390154597