Effect of weed management on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) + Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) intercropping system under irrigated conditions of Jammu region

A field experiment was carried out during the winter (rabi) season of 2009–10 and 2010–11 at Chatha, Jammu, to assess the yield along with the monetary benefits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] intercropping system with different weed-management practices. Significantly higher values of plant height of chickpea (63.36 cm) and Indian mustard (174.72 cm), dry-matter accumulation of chickpea (22.13 g/plant) and Indian mustard (117.22 g/plant) were recorded under sole stands of the each crop followed by chickpea + Indian mustard (replacement series) intercropping system. Both the sole crops gave higher yields than chickpea + Indian mustard, when grown in additive and replacement series in the respective order. The highest chickpea-equivalent yield (1.39 t/ha), land-equivalent ratio (1.65), net returns ( 24,415/ha) and benefit: cost (1.63) ratio were obtained in chickpea + Indian mustard intercropping system in additive followed by replacement series. Weed management practices not only reduced the density and dry weight of weeds but also increased crop production potential of the intercropping system (productivity). Application of pendimethalin @ 1 kg/ha as pre-emergence recorded the maximum weed-control efficiency (85.16%), net returns ( 20,373/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (1.71) followed by the application of fluchloralin @ 1kg/ha.