Production potential of rapeseed (Brassica rapa var. dichotoma) – based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Jorhat to evaluate the
productivity of rapeseed (Toria) based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions. Altogether 17 treatments
consisted of sole crops of rapeseed (Toria), linseed, Yellow Sarson, lentil and buckwheat along with intercropping of
Toria with the other four crops in 1:1, 2:1 and 2:2 row proportions were laid out in randomized block design
with three replications. Intercropping treatments proved superior in terms of growth, yield attributes and yield
of Toria when intercropped with linseed. The seed yields of intercrop, buckwheat, Yellow Sarson and linseed
were comparatively higher than lentil. Among different intercropping systems, Toria equivalent yield was
recorded highest in Toria + Yellow Sarson closely followed by Toria + buckwheat and Toria + linseed when
row proportion was maintained at 2:2. In terms of monetary advantage based on LER value, the best was
recorded with intercropping Toria + linseed in 2:2 row proportion.