Effect of Different (Onion + Palak) Intercropping Combinations on Growth and Leaf Yield of Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)

Abstract

Background: The present investigation entitled “Effect of Different Onion + Palak Intercropping Combinations on Leaf Yield of Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)” was carried out at Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during season of 2018-19. Methods: The experimental treatments viz., T1-palak (sole) 15 X 5cm, T2-onion + palak (one row) T3- onion + palak (two rows), T4- onion + palak (three rows), T5- onion + palak (broadcasting), were laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Result: Based on the research investigation it was found that Longest length of palak leaf was observed in sole palak crop (16.20, 17.13 and 17.20 cm) at 1st, 2nd and 3rd harvesting respectively, which was significantly higher than other intercropping combinations. Palak sole crop showed maximum petiole length (12.53, 13.27 and 13.86 cm) at every harvest. Within the intercropping system, the maximum petiole length (12.27, 12.78 and 13.28 cm) was observed in treatment onion + palak (one row), which was at par with onion + palak (two rows). The leaf yield ranged from 22.10 q ha-1 at first harvesting in onion + palak (Broadcast) to 47.15 q ha-1 in palak sole crop at third harvesting. The leaf yield significantly varied among various intercropping system at first, second and third harvesting. Palak sole crop produced highest leaf yield at all the harvesting stages.