Intercropping Lentil with Mukhikachu (Collocasia Esculenta) at Different Planting Systems

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station,  BARI, Jessore during consecutive two years (2007-08 and 2008-09) to find out  the comparative performance of different intercropped lentil with Mukhikachu  for getting higher yield and economic return. Five treatments comprised of T₁=  Sole lentil (30 cm apart continuous seeding), T₂ = Sole mukhikachu [(double  row) = 20 cm/55/20 cm x 45 cm], T₃= Mukhikachu (double row) + 1 row of  lentil 30 cm apart (33% seeding ratio) between 2 double row of mukhikachu, T₄ = Mukhikachu (double row) + 2 rows of lentil 30 cm apart (66%) between 2  double row of mukhikachu and T5= Mukhikachu (double row) + lentil broadcast  (100%). Intercropping systems did not affect the rhizome yield of mukhikachu  significantly but affected the seed yield of lentil. Lentil and mukhikachu  equivalent yield were the highest (5.87 in 2007-08 and 6.09 t/ha in 2008-09, and  27.24 in 2007-08 and 30.45 t/ha in 2008-09, respectively) in treatment T₄. This  treatment also gave the highest LER (1.63 in 2007-08 and 1.54 in 2008-09), net  return (Tk. 290508 in 2007-08 and Tk. 368900/ha in 2008-09) with BCR of 4.19  in 2007-08 and 4.88 in 2008-09, respectively. It reveals that lentil could be  grown easily in double row system of Mukhikachu without hampering yield of  Mukhikachu with higher benefit and also enhanced lentil production in the area.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i4.11757

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 36(4): 669-676, December 2011