Effect of intercropping lentil (Lens culinaris) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) under varying plant density and row arrangement on productivity and advantages in system under rainfed upland

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rab~) season (October - February) of 2001-2002 at Baruipur, to assess production potential of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) in sole cropping, and in intercropping under additive and replacement series. Six intercrop systems were in additive se- ries with 100% lentil + 25% and 50% linseed each in 3 row ratios of 2 : 1, 3 : 1 and 5 : 1 and the remaining 3 in replacement series where 33, 25 and 17% lentil was replaced by linseed in the intercropping row ratios of 2.1, 3:l and 5:l. Grain yield of lentil and linseed decreased considerably in intercropping, irrespective of their plant density and row arrangement. The extent of reduction was more in additive series than in replacement series and the magnitude of reduction in lentil and linseed was 28 and 24% under additive and 25 and 23% under re- placement series respectively. An intercropping of 100% lentil + 25% linseed in 5 : 1 row ratio gave as high inter- crop lentil yield (1,050 kg/ha) as sole lentil (1,300 kg/ha) with additional yield of linseed (820 kg/ha) and had maximum lentil-equivalent yield (I, 767 kg/ha), net return (Rs 17,632), land-equivalent ratio (1.66), and benefit : cost ratio ( 2.65), and proved the most productive intercrop stand among all the systems.