Effect of intercropping of oilseed crops on growth, yield and economics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted for three years during kharif 2004, 2005 and 2006 at Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad to study the effect of intercropping of sunflower, castor and sesamum on growth, yield and economics of cotton variety ‘Sahana’ under rainfed conditions. The results indicated that the sole cotton and cotton + sesamum intercropping system in 3:1 row proportion resulted in significantly higher seed cotton yield (SCY) of 1120 kg ha-1 and 1148 kg ha-1,respectively followed by cotton + sesamum intercropping system in 2:1 row proportion (993 kg ha-1). The lowest SCY was obtained with cotton + sunflower intercropping system in 2:1 row proportion (560 kg ha-1). Pooled results showed that though the SCY was low in cotton + sunflower intercropping system, significantly higher cotton equivalent yields were recorded with cotton + sunflower intercropping system in 2:1 and 3:1 row proportions (1645 kg ha-1 and 1557 kg ha-1 respectively) as against the intercropping with castor and sesamum in both row proportions. Economics of the intercropping systems revealed that cotton + sunflower intercropping system in 2:1 row proportion resulted in significantly higher net income of `16,582 ha-1 with a benefit cost ratio of 2.09, compared to other intercropping systems and sole cotton (` 8620 ha-1 and 1.65 respectively). Intercropping of sunflower in cotton in 2:1 row proportion found remunerative over sole cotton and intercropping of castor or sesamum in cotton with different row proportions.