Influence of land configuration and fertigation on yield and yield parameters of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa)-based intercropping in Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka

The field experiment was conducted during the rainy season (kharif) 2015 and 2016 at College of Agriculture, Shivamogga, Karnataka, to study effect of land configuration and fertigation on yield and yield parameters and five different aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.)-based intercroppings. Of the two land configuration, raised bed method resulted in significantly higher grain yield of rice (5.51 t/ha) and benefit: cost (B: C) ratio (2.44) as compared to flat bed method (4.96 t/ha) and (2.26). Among the different intercrops, significantly higher grain yield was recorded in treatment where, sole crop of rice was sown in paired-row arrangement (6.47 t/ha) with B: C ratio of 2.10, but it was statistically on a par with paired rows of rice interseeded with carrot [Daucus carota subsp. Sativus (Hoffm.) Schiibl & G. Martens] and french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (5.87 and 5.68 t/ha). However, rice crop intercropped with ragi (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.) recorded significantly lowest grain yield (3.42 t/ha). Growing of rice crop under aerobic situation through drip fertigation in raised-bed method showed significant improvement in rice yield by 10% as compared to flat-bed method. Similarly, growing of rice crop in paired rows with rice + french bean or rice + carrot intercropping recorded significantly higher rice-equivalent yield which was 68.64 and 62.62% higher over sole crop of rice respectively.