Performance of suru sugarcane under different intercropping systems

The investigation was carried out during suru season of 2014–15, 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Agronomy Farm, Dapoli, Maharashtra, to study performance of suru sugarcane under different intercropping systems. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design, comprising 7 treatment combinations with 3 replications. Treatments consisted of Sole sugarcane with 90-cm-row spacing, Sole paired row planted sugarcane (60 cm x 60 cm-120 cm), Paired row-planted sugarcane (PRPS) + groundnut (3 rows of groundnut at 30 cm spacing between paired row), PRPS + sweet corn (Zea mays L.) (2 rows of sweet corn at 45 cm spacing in between paired row), PRPS + cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) (2 rows of cabbage at 45 cm spacing in between paired row), PRPS + amaranth (4 rows of amaranths at 20 cm spacing in between paired row) and PRPS + greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] (3 rows of greengram at 30 cm spacing in between paired row). Higher yield and net returns were obtained when suru sugarcane was planted in paired rows at 60 cm x 60 cm - 120 cm and intercropped with 2 rows of sweet corn at 45 cm spacing between paired row.