Effect of Cropping System and Row Ratio on Performance of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Linseed (Linium usitatissimum L.) Intercropping in Western U.P.

Abstract

In order to evaluate the “Effect of cropping system and row ratio on performance of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Linseed (Linium usitatissium L.) intercropping in western U.P.” the investigation was carried out on well drained sandy clay loam soil, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and moderately alkaline in pH, at crop research centre of SVPUA&T, Meerut (U.P.), during 2021-22 the experiment was comprising with 16 treatments consisting combination of 4 intercropping and 4 cropping modules. viz., chickpea sole, linseed sole, chickpea + linseed in ratio of 1:1, chickpea + linseed in ratio of 2:1 and 4 cropping module viz., control, inorganic module with recommended dose of fertilizer, organic module with FYM, Tricoderma, seed inoculation by Rhizobium, PSB and natural module with seed treatment beejamruith, foliar application of jeewamruith, soil application of panchgavya. Chickpea and linseed variety Avrodhi and Garima was tested in split plot design with 3 replications. The result of the study revealed that sole chickpea as well as sole linseed recorded the highest growth parameters, yield attributes and yield. Among the intercropping system the chickpea + linseed with the ratio of 2:1 performed significantly higher growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of chickpea. Whereas linseed performed better in 1:1 ratio. The highest chickpea equivalent yield (19749 kg ha-1) was recorded by intercropping of chickpea + linseed with 2:1 ratio, which was significantly higher than the ratio 1:1 then sole chickpea, however intercropping showed superiorly over sole crop. Among the cropping module the highest values of growth parameters, yield attributes and yield was recorded, which was significantly higher than organic and natural module but these both module affected positively to the soil health related parameters. The highest gross return (117431 Rs ha-1), net return (79102 Rs ha-1) and B: C ratio (3.02) was obtained with 2:1 ratio of intercropping, where as inorganic module was profitable among the cropping modules. In the light of the results obtained from this investigation it can be concluded that 2:1 ratio of chickpea + linseed intercropping with inorganic module can perform better to obtain higher equivalent yield and profit. Where as to sustain the soil health organic or natural module is beneficial.