GROWTH AND YIELD VARIATIONS IN MUSTARD AND LENTIL UNDER INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during November 2017 to February 2018 to assess growth and yield variations of mustard and lentil under intercropping systems. Twelve treatment combinations were T 1 = Sole Mustard, T 2 = Sole Lentil, T = 50% Mustard + 50% Lentil, T 4 = 1 Row Mustard + 1 Row Lentil, T = 2 Rows Mustard + 1 Row Lentil, T 7 5 3 = 1 Row Mustard + 2 Rows Lentil,T = 2 Rows Mustard + 2 Rows Lentil,T = 3 Rows Mustard + 1 Row Lentil, T 9 = 3 Rows Mustard + 2 Rows Lentil, T = 70% Mustard + 30% Lentil, T 11 = 80% Mustard + 20% Lentil, T = 90% Mustard + 10% Lentil. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block design with three replications. The experimental materials were Mustard (BARI Sharisha-16) and 12 Lentil (BARI Masur-7). Seeds of these crops were sown on 1 November 2017 and harvested on 31 january 2018. Growth, yield, productivity and economic performance were studied. Results revealed that, intercropping system significant by effect on plant height, above ground dry matter plant -1 1 10 , length of branch, pod branch , 1000 grain weight, grain yield and harvest index of mustard. It also significantly changed plant height, branches plant -1 , above ground dry matter plant , 1000 seed weight, seed yield (t ha -1 ) and harvest index of lentil.

Intercropping reduced the sole mustard yield but economic analysis showed highest gross return (Tk. 213600 ha ), net return (Tk. 103680 ha -1 ), and monetary advantage (Tk.87952.94 ha ) were obtained from T (One row mustard with one row lentil) which was an agronomic advantage compensating the yield losses in mustard under intercropping system. The higher economic values eventually determined the maximum benefit-cost ratio (1.94) compared with BCR (1.61) for mustard normal planting. In this intercropping system, one row mustard with one row lentil showed better compatibility than other when mustard and lentil are intercropped. 4

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