Mulch and Irrigation Effects on Growth and Water Use of Barley, Lentil and Linseed Grown as Sole and Intercrop

Sole barley produced the highest amount of dry matter and leaf area index followed by barley intercropped with lentil. Combined dry matter accumulation and leaf area index were higher with one irrigation and straw mulch in barley + linseed intercropping. Total consumptive use of water was significantly higher in irrigated and non-mulched plots than unirrigated and mulched plots. Barley + lentil recorded higher consumptive use than barley + linseed. Highest water use efficiency on yield basis (kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) was recorded in pure barley followed by barley + lentil intercropping. However, water use efficiency on monetary basis (Rs ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) was highest in barley + lentil plots followed by barley + linseed.