Productive performance and uptake of nutrients by nipped castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Significantly higher castor yield (1848 kg ha⁻¹) was recorded by sole castor followed by castor + clusterbean (1430 kg ha⁻¹), castor + chilli (1161 kg ha⁻¹) and castor + fieldbean (1025 kg ha⁻¹). Intercropping of fingermillet with castor recorded significantly higher crop equivalent yield (CEY) (2911 kg ha⁻¹) fallowed by castor + cowpea (1818 kg ha). Significantly higher land equivalent ratio (LER) was registered with castor + fieldbean (1.33) followed by castor + fingermillet (1.26), castor + cowpea (1.20) and castor + clusterbean (1.20) which were at par with each other. Sole crop of castor recorded significantly higher area time equivalent ratio (ATER) (180 ha days) ascompared to castor in intercropping system. Cowpea intercropped with castor was found to be most aggressive as compared to other component crops.