Productivity, economics, energetics and soil properties of vegetables-based relay intercropping systems

A field experiment was conducted during 2002-03 and 2003-04 at Almora to find out the most productive and remunerative relay intercropping of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. nom. cons.) or french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in maize (Zea mays L.), garden pea (Pisum sativum L.var. arvense poir.) in tomato or french bean, and french bean in garden pea. Results showed that relay intercropping of maize (green cobs) + tomato + garden pea + french bean, and maize (green cobs) + french bean + garden pea + french bean proved significantly superior in terms of maize grain-equivalent yield (71.3 and 51.5 t/ha), and net returns (Rs 2,39,558 and Rs 1,52,624/ha) than maize (green cobs) - garden pea (1 8.8 t/ha and Rs 48,02O/ha) and french bean - garden pea (30.7 t/ha, and Rs 94,0211ha) sequential cropping. Also, maize (green cobs) + tomato + garden pea + french bean recorded signifi- cantly highest production efficiency (195.4 kgldaylha) and economic efficiency (Rs 656/ha/day), system energy output (1 0,83,760 MJ/ha), system net energy return (1 0,40,856 MJIha) and system energy-use efficiency (2,852 MJIhdday). The lowest maize grain equivalent yield (18.8 t/ha), net returns (Rs 48,02O/ha), production efficiency (51.5 kgldaylha) and economic efficiency (Rs 132lhdday) were recorded under maize (green cobs) - garden pea sequential cropping. Physico-chemical properties of the soil improved significantly due to relay intercropping sys- tems over maize (green cobs) - garden pea sequence. Relay intercropping of maize (green cobs) + tomato + gar- den pea + french bean proved the best in terms of total production and monetary returns.