Evaluation of toria (Brassica campestris) and lentil (Lens culinaris) varieties in intercropping system with wheat (Triticum aestivum) under rainfed conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2003-04 and 2004-05 at Almora to evaluate the varietal performance of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) and toria (Brassica campestris L. var. black toria) with wheat (Triicum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol.) intercropping system. Intercropping of wheat + lentil and wheat + toria showed an added advantage over sole and mixed cropping. In intercropping systems, lentil yield was higher with 'VL Masoor 4' (0.35 tlha) than with 'VL Masoor 120'. Similarly, 'VL Toria 2' gave higher yield (0.35 tlha) than 'VL Toria 1'. The highest wheat-equivalent yield (5.87 tlha), net return (Rs 19,65l/ha), benefit : cost ratio (2.1), mon- etary advantage (5,172) and land-equivalent ratio (1.26) were obtained under wheat + lentil ('VL Masoor 4') inter- cropping, followed by wheat + toria 'VL Toria 2'. Negative values of aggressivity under intercrop showed that wheat was dominant, and lentil and toria were the dominated crops in the systems. Competitive ratio and relative crowd- ing coefficient of wheat was higher under intercropping of wheat with lentil 'VL Masoor 120' and toria 'VL Toria 1'. Relative crowding coefficient of the system was highest for wheat + lentil ('VL Masoor 4') (5.72), followed by wheat + toria ('VL Toria 2') (4.77). Thus lentil 'VL Masoor 4' and toria 'VL Toria 2' were found suitable under intercropping system with wheat in comparison with other varieties.