Performance of Linseed Based Intercropping Systems in Different Row Ratio under Semi Arid Region of Karnataka

A field experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapura (Karnataka) during three consecutive rabi season of 2009, 2010 and 2011 with an objective to find out the suitable intercrop for Linseed to obtain higher productivity and profitability per unit area per unit time by efficient utilization of natural resources on medium deep vertisols under rainfed conditions. There were thirteen treatments consisting of eight intercropping systems viz., linseed with sorghum, bengal gram, safflower and lentil in 2: 1 and 4: 2 row ratio in additive series and five sole crops of the component crops involved in intercropping systems. The experiment was laid out in RBD with a plot size of 3.60 x 4.50 m replicated thrice. The performance of various intercrops tested with linseed crop excelled either in 2: 1 or 4: 2 row ratios compared to their sole cropping except sole bengal gram. The pooled results of three years revealed that, sole bengal gram noticed significantly higher equivalent yield (774 kg/ha) followed by linseed + bengal gram in 2: 1 and 4: 2 row ratios (715 and 706 kg/ha, respectively) while, sorghum also showed better performance at 2: 1 and 4: 2 ratios (678 and 674 kg/ha, respectively) compared with rest of the intercropping systems. Similarly, among intercropping systems linseed + bengal gram in 4: 2 and 2: 1 row ratio was more remunerative with a net returns of 16023 and 15776/ha, respectively followed by linseed + sorghum at 2: 1 and 4: 2 row ratio ( 15497 and 15352/ha, respectively). The benefit cost ratio was significantly higher with linseed + sorghum in 2: 1 and 4: 2 row ratio (3.68 and 3.52) followed by linseed + bengal gram in 4: 2 and 2: 1 row ratio (3.50 and 3.47, respectively) over other intercropping systems. Further, intercropping of linseed + sorghum in 4: 2 and 2: 1 row ratio recorded significantly higher Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 1.30 and 1.29, respectively followed by linseed + bengal gram in 4: 2 and 2: 1 row ratio (1.21 and 1.20, respectively).