Inter- and Intra-cropping of vegetables in castor (Ricinus communis) on Inceptisols of dryland conditions

A field experiment was conducted at Dry Farming Research Station, Solapur, during the rainy seasons of 1995–2001, to study creeper and bushy-type vegetable crops in castor (Ricinus communis L.) to find out vegetable crop suitable for intra and intercropping in castor on Inceptisols of dryland conditions. Intercropping of castor + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L) Taub.] in 1:2 row proportion gave significantly highest monetary returns (Rs 15,308/ha) over rest of the treatments except castor + ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (L) Roxb.] intra-cropping system (Rs 13,312/ha) which was on a par with castor + clusterbean (1:2). The mean seed yield of sole castor was 653/ha, which was more than rest of the cropping systems, though the monetary returns were only Rs 8,489/ha. The next best was castor + ridge gourd intra-cropping system (581 kg/ha). Amongst all the vegetables, ridge gourd showed higher moisture-use efficiency (3.81 kg/ha/mm) followed by vegetable clusterbean (3.60 kg/ha/mm). Intercropping of castor + clusterbean in 1:2 row proportion recorded the highest sustainable value index (0.84), while castor + ridge gourd intra-cropping was next best system (0.79). The benefit: cost ratio was highest in intra-cropping of castor + ridge gourd (2.13) and castor + clusterbean intercropping system (1.87).