Effect on soil moisture depletion pattern in Jatropha curcas based intercropping system in semi arid region of haryana

In order to find out the depletion of moisture content in Jatropha based intercropping system where rabi crops i.e. Mustard cv. RH-30, Taramira cv T-27, Chickpea cv. HC-5 and Barley cv. BH-393 were sown in 4.5 x 7.5 m size plots at Forestry farm of CCS HAU, Hisar. Moisture content was studied at the time of sowing, before first and second irrigation at 1 m and 2.5 m distance from Jatropha line planted at 5 x 3 m spacing. Vertical moisture depletion at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, 40–50, 50–60, 60–70, 70–80 and 8090cm depths was also recorded in Jatropha based intercropping system and in control. The result reveled that depletion of moisture content was higher at 1 m distance as compared to 2.5 m distance due to severe competition of test crops with Jatropha plantation. Maximum moisture depletion pattern was recorded upto 0-50cm depth in both Jatropha based intercropping system and in control. However, higher moisture depletion was recorded in Jatropha based intercropping system than control. Grain yield of test crops were significantly reduced in Jatropha based intercropping system as compared to control during both the years of study.