Intercropping of mungbean at different row patterns under various row spacings of rabi castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2012–13 to 2014–15 on vertisols of Navsari, Gujarat to study the feasibility of intercropping of mungbean at different row patterns under various row spacings of rabi castor (Ricinus communis L.). Number of branches per plant was noted significantly higher under sole castor sown at 180 x 60 cm being at par with 150 x 60 cm spacing than other treatments. Whereas yield attributes viz., spike length, number of spikes per plant, number of capsules per plant, test weight as well as seed yield and oil content of castor remained unaffected due to various treatments, however, they were found higher with sole castor than castor intercropped. Among intercropping systems, two rows of mungbean in between castor sown at 150 cm row spacing gave significantly higher castor seed equivalent yield and oil yield of castor than sole mungbean. Similarly, castor sown at 150 x 60 cm as a sole recorded higher net returns (Rs. 44247/ha) and B: C ratio (2.64) closely followed by treatment T6 (Castor sown at 150 x 60 cm spacing with two rows of mungbean as intercrop) for net returns (Rs. 43695/ha) and treatment T3 (sole castor sown at 150 x 60 cm) for B: C ratio (2.59).