Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to analyse the interspecies
compatibility and production potentials of mustard and lentil in intercrop
association. The experiment comprised four planting systems viz., sole
mustard, sole lentil, single row (1:1 i.e., one row of mustard followed
by one row of lentil) and double row (1:2 i.e., one row of mustard followed
by two rows of lentil) intercropping. The stands height and number of
branches (primary and secondary) per plant were maximum and minimum in
sole and single row intercropped plants, respectively. Higher leaf area
index and total dry matter production was observed in sole cropped mustard
or lentil while those were lower in 1:2 intercropped mustard or 1:1 intercropped
lentil plants. Maximum seed yield, 1.26 t ha-1 (or 1.30 t ha-1)
was harvested from sole crop of mustard (or lentil) which was about 40
and 48% (or 34 and 12%) higher than that of the mustard (or lentil) yield
obtained from single and double row intercrop mixtures, respectively.
Combined seed yield from double row mixture was the maximum (1.8 t ha-1)
and was respectively 11, 30 or 28% higher than that obtained from single
row intercropped stands, sole mustard or lentil. Single and double row
intercropping systems respectively resulted 25 or 41% increase in land
equivalent ratios. Area time equivalency ratio was also increased by about
14 and 31%, respectively for single and double row intercropping systems.
The competitive ratio of each population is approached to be unity in
both intercropping systems reflecting the proper balance of the natural
resources between associated species resulted better yield. The results
suggest that mustard and lentil populations are well compatible in intercrop
association and 1:2 row ratio mixture would be better for their profitable
production.
M.M. Rahman, M.A. Awal, A. Amin and M.R. Parvej, 2009. Compatibility, Growth and Production Potentials of Mustard/Lentil Intercrops. International Journal of Botany, 5: 100-106.
Subscribe Today 
