Production potential of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)-based intercropping systems under irrigated conditions

A field experiment was conducted during 2000–2002 at New Delhi, to evaluate the productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)-based intercropping systems. The yield of chickpea was adversely affected by intercropping with Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson], barley (Hordeum vulgare L, s.l.) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L). However, the magnitude of reduction was relatively greater in Indian mustard. Further, the yield of chickpea increased as the proportion of chickpea increased in the mixture from 2:1 to 4:1, while reverse trend was noticed in the yield of intercrops. Sole Indian mustard recorded the highest total productivity in terms of chickpea-equivalent yield (CEY), followed by chickpea + Indian mustard (2:1), chickpea + linseed in various row proportions and sole chickpea recorded similar CEY, which was markedly lower than sole barley and linseed and chickpea intercropped with Indian mustard and barley in various proportions, except chickpea + barley in 4:1 row proportion. Among various intercropping systems, chickpea + barley, especially in 2:1 and 3:1 row proportions, showed yield advantages in terms of land-equivalent ratio (LER), while all the sole intercrops and chickpea-based intercropping systems, except chickpea + linseed (4:1) recorded higher income equivalent ratio over sole chickpea. All the intercrops were more competitive and aggressive than chickpea. Based on relative crowding coefficient, chickpea intercropped with barley in all row proportions and with linseed in 3:1 and 4:1 row proportions were the compatible intercropping systems.