Effect of row ratio and phosphorus fertilizer in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and mustard (Brassica juncea) intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 200709 at Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh to evaluate 5 cropping systems and 4 phosphorus levels in chickpea {Cicer arietinum (L.)} and mustard {Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss} intercropping systems. Sole chickpea and mustard gave highest seed yield. Among intercropping, 6:3 row ratio produced significantly the highest seed yield of chickpea (1.10 t/ha) followed by 4:2 row ratio (0.99 t/ ha). Chickpea grain equivalent yield (1.55 t/ha) and LER (1.32) were recorded the highest under 6:3 row ratio fol- lowed by 4:2 row ratio (1.46 t/ha and 1.26, respectively). Seed yield of chickpea, mustard and chickpea grain equivalent yield increased with increasing levels of phosphorus upto 60 kg P O /ha. Protein content in chickpea 2 5 seed was recorded the highest in sole stand. Maximum net profit of 31,450/ha and B:C ratio of 2.48 was re- corded in 6:3 row ratio intercropping. Increasing levels of phosphorus increased seed yield, protein content in chickpea seed, oil content in mustard seed, net profit, and B:C ratio significantly up to 60 kg P O /ha. It is thus con- 2 5 cluded that intercropping of chickpea and mustard in 6:3 row ratio with 60 kg P O /ha is better combination for 2 5 higher productivity.