Intercropping for nutrient retention, profitability, and quality bulb production of garlic (Allium sativum L.) under eastern Himalayan foothills region

Abstract

A two years experiment was laid out to evaluate the effect of intercropping system for soil nutrient retention, profitability, and quality of garlic. The result revealed that the association of garlic and garden pea system recorded maximum garlic equivalent yield (5.99 t/ha). Highest protein content of the bulb (5.20%) was recorded by the garlic + garden pea system and the maximum reducing sugar (2.08%) was found in the garlic + coriander system. Garlic + garden pea intercropping system recorded significant maximum soil nitrogen (123.52 kg/ha) and phosphorus content (50.37 kg/ha) whereas significant maximum soil potassium content (158.45 kg/ha) was recorded in sole coriander plots. However, production economics suggested garlic + garden pea intercropping system was the most remunerative with the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio (Rs. 1, 52,209.23, and 2.67), respectively.