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.
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