Intercropping in cabbage (Brassica Oleracea L.var. capitata f.) for growth, yield, quality and sustainable soil health under foothills of Eastern himalayan region

Abstract

The present study was done for intercropping in cabbage (Brassica Oleracea L.var.capitata f.) for growth, yield, quality and sustainable soil health under foothills of Eastern Himalayan region. The pooled results revealed that head yield, ascorbic acid content and nutrient uptake from soil varied according to treatments combination. Sole cropping of cabbage recorded maximum values for most of the growth characters like plant height (1.30 cm), shoot weight (59.47 g), root weight (46.36 g), shoot to root ratio (1.30), root length (17.97 cm) and root volume (37.24 cc) and yield (37.11 t ha-1). But as per cabbage equivalent yield (44.39 t ha-1),economics (B:C ratio 2.96) and production efficiency (591.80 kg-1ha-1day) are concerned cabbage and garden pea intercropping system recorded significantly highest values than all other treatments. cabbage and garden pea intercropping system also recorded maximum ascorbic content(38.61mg-1 100g).Highest residual N (174.12 kg ha-1) content was obtained in sole garden pea plots whereas maximum values for available P2O5 (30.31 kg ha-1) and K2O (171.83 kg ha-1) were recorded in sole coriander plots. Cabbage and beet root intercropping system recorded minimum values for most of the growth characters like shoot weight (35.88 g), root weight (26.80 g),root length(10.83 cm), shoot and root volume (23.54 cc),cabbage equivalent yield (32.10 t ha-1) ascorbic content(29.94 mg-1 100g). Inclusion of garden pea in cabbage inter rows may be adopted by cabbage growers of foothills of eastern Himalayan region of West Bengal for additional income and soil enrichment.