Current Advances in Agricultural Sciences(An International Journal)

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Baba Raghav Das Post Graduate College, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh during winter (rabi) seasons of 2005–06 and 2006–07 to study the response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] intercropping to different row ratios (4: 2 and 8: 2) and sulphur levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg S ha⁻¹) under irrigated conditions. Intercropping reduced the values of growth parameters, yield attributes and seed yield of both chickpea and mustard compared to sole crops. Both the intercropping systems recorded significantly higher chickpea-equivalent yield (CEY), gross return, net return and benefit: cost ratio than sole crops. Among intercropping systems, chickpea + mustard under 8: 2 row ratio recorded significantly higher CEY (2.33 t ha⁻¹), landequivalent ratio (1.21), relative crowding coefficient (2.32), gross return (Rs 32515 ha⁻¹), net return (Rs 17115 ha⁻¹) and benefit: cost ratio (2.11). Both chickpea and mustard in sole and intercropping responded favorably only up to 40 kg S ha⁻¹ for dry weight plant⁻¹, branches plant⁻¹, yield attributes, seed yield, protein/oil content, gross and net returns and benefit: cost ratio.