Economic and Land Use Evaluation of Barley Based Intercropping Systems

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at CCSHAU, Hisar during the Rabi season of 2013–14 in thrice replicated randomized block design with thirteen treatments to evaluate the intercropping of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)with mustard, chickpea and fenugreek with different row ratio in replacement series. Results revealed that barley seed yield was reduced more drastically in barley + mustard intercropping compared to barley intercropped with chickpea and fenugreek. Among intercropping treatments, barley + mustard (6:3) proved most economical barley based intercropping system having maximum barley equivalent yield (7936 kg ha−1, net return (66333 ha−1), B:C ratio (2.90), net return per day (451.2), RNRI (1.57), profit margin (65.5) and IAI (+1798.5) followed by barley + fenugreek (6:3) with highest values of LER (1.32), LEC (0.42), ATER (1.28), LUE (129.8per cent), SPI (66.2), MAI (18508 ha−1), MER (1.31) and IER (1.34). Among different row patterns, barley intercropped with either of the intercrop at 6:3 row ratio provided best performance. Hence, barley + mustard (6:3) intercropping system can be a best option to get more monetary return and resource use efficiency compared to their monocultures.