Yield Dynamics and Economic Analysis of Castor-Based Relay Intercropping System in Rainfed Alfisols
Gangadhar K *
Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru-560065, India.
Bhairappanavar, S. T.
Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru-560065, India.
Jayadeva, H. M.
Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru-560065, India.
Mohan Kumar, R.
AICRP on Castor, ZARS, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru- 56006, India.
Prakash, K.
Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru- 560065, India.
Kadalli, G. G.
AICRP on Long Term Fertilizer Experiments, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru- 560065, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The current field study was carried out at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore during Kharif and Rabi season of 2022-23 and 2023-24 to evaluate the feasibility of castor based relay intercropping system in rainfed alfisols of Karnataka. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four main-plot treatments (cropping geometry with fingermillet intercropping), four sub-plot treatments (followed relay intercropping), with 16 interaction treatments and also considered sole cropping to assess the intercropping indices. The outcome of study disclosed that wider paired row planting of castor (60-240 cm x 45 cm) with fingermillet intercropping followed by fieldbean relay intercropping system has found significantly higher seed, stalk and oil yield of castor (1446, 2636 and 664 kg ha-1, respectively), along with superior castor equivalent yield (2881 kg ha-1), land use efficiency (167.20%), system productivity (13.72 kg ha-day-1), net returns (₹ 96596 ha-1) and relative economic efficiency (153.50%) compared to other relay intercropping systems. This system proved most effective and profitable.
Keywords: Castor, relay, intercropping, productivity, use efficiency and economics