Potato (Solanum tuberosum) based intercropping systems for Southern hills

Field trials were conducted on sandy clay loam soils of the Nilgiris during summer seasons of 2003 to 2005 to study the intercropping possibilities of French beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), maize ( Zea mays L.) and wheat ( Tr iti- cum aestivum L.) with potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) in three population proportions (75:25, 75:50 and 50:50) un- der rainfed conditions. The results indicated that potato + French bean at 75:50 population recorded significantly higher potato equivalent yield, (PEY) (27.1 t/ha), land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.28) and net returns (Rs 69,090) over sole potato. Intercropping of potato with wheat and maize resulted in significant decrease in PEY over sole potato. Potato is more competitive than other crops as evident from Relative Crowding Coefficient (RCC) values. However, at 50:50 ratios, French bean and maize are more competitive. Potato + maize (75:50 and 50:50) was found soil exhaustive while potato + French bean is soil restorative system.