The traditional practice of mixed cropping has gained popularity in recent years in the form of intercropping with a suitable modification in planting pattern. Intercropping is defined as growing of two or more dissimilar crops simultaneously on the same piece of land, in a distinct row arrangement using one crop as a base crop to which rows of an additional component crop is added. The recommended optimum plant population of the base crop is suitably combined with appropriate additional plant density of the component crop. Intercropping provides significant advantages in land use efficiency, crop productivity and monetary returns as a result of effective use of solar energy and inputs as compared with sole cropping under diverse agroecologial situations. Selection of crop and agronomic requirement aspect are very important. In principle component crops should have contrasting maturities to reduce competition for the same resources at the same time, variable rooting pattern for better utilization of moisture and nutrients from different soil depths, different plant height/type for efficient use of light. Moreover, the intercrops should have either synergistic or complementary effect relative to the base crop. Intercropping of mustard, an important rabi oilseed crop of Northern India, with cereals and pulses is a traditional practice to realise yield stability as well as to fulfil the needs of oil and grains. In view of change in global scenario of demand and supply and also prices of oilseeds and food grains, Brassica based intercropping assumed great significance to generate more income per unit area under specific set of conditions. If recommended row ratio of mustard with cereals like wheat, barley and pulses like chickpea, pea, lentil for a specific area is adopted then farmers could utilize applied and available resources more efficiently and effectively on sustainable basis. These row ratio combinations with variation in, growth and development of both the component crops are also being deviated, which ultimately affects the yield attributes and yield, but at specific combination land equivalent ratio and yield advantage is definitely augmented. The suitable and appropriate row ratios combination varies from place to place due to change in climate, farming practices and varieties of crops cultivation. The research avenue is adequate with mustard + cereals and pulses intercropping in relation to management of irrigation, fertilizer, genotypes and crop geometry. Intercropped oilseeds and pulses crop may have the potential for a more efficient use of resources compared to sole crop. Intercrops are considered as less susceptible to pests and diseases and may inhibit weeds more efficiently resulting in enhanced yields and profitability.
Oilseed Brassica, Rapeseed-Mustard, Intercropping, Yield, Economics
