Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Ranchi 834 002.
An experiment was conducted to study feasibility of intercropping rainy season ‘Pusa Sawani’ okra with Contender French bean, local cowpea, Early Kunwari cauliflower, Muktakeshi brinjal and Arka Abha tomato. Intercropping of cowpea gave 60 per cent reduced yield of okra, but the okra-equivalent yield increased to a maximum of 34.98 tonnes/ha raising the productivity by 31–53 per cent compared with other intercropping combinations as well as pure crop of okra (16.31 tonnes/ha). Okra + French bean intercropping gave the least equivalent yield (12.19 tonnes/ha). Okra + cowpea combination recorded the highest land-equivalent ratio (1.3) followed by okra + cauliflower (1.2). Cowpea intercropping also produced a significantly higher net return (Rs. 36824). Pure tomato gave the highest net profit followed by okra + cowpea intercropping.
