Effect of planting pattern and fertilizer management on castor (Ricinus communis)-based intercropping system

A 2-year field experiment on castor (Ricinus communis L.)-based intercropping system comprising main plot treatments of castor sole crop, combinations of castor + greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L), castor + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert], castor + sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) with 2 planting patterns (1:2 paired row) and subplot treatments of control, FYM @ 10 tonnes/ha, 80 kg N/ha and 40 kg N/ha + 5 tonnes FYM/ha was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Keshwana, Jalore, during 1996–97 and 1997–98. Castor + clusterbean intercropping yielded 10% higher average castor-equivalent yield than castor sole cropping. Sesame intercropping in castor found superior to castor sole cropping only for early sowing. Paired row geometry (60–120 x 60 cm) had no advantage over normal geometry (90 cm x 60 cm) in castor sole cropping as well as intercropping with other crops. Half of dose N (40 kg N/ha) with half dose of FYM (5 tonnes/ha) was found at par with the full dose of N (80 kg/ha). Sole cropping of castor as well as intercropping system based on castor when fertilized with 80 kg N/ha through chemical fertilizer or half through chemical fertilizer and half through FYM resulted in higher return.