Productivity and profitability of autumn sugarcane based intercropping systems in South - Western Punjab

A field experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University Regional Station Faridkot during 2002–03 and 2003–04 to workout the most profitable intercropping system for the cane growers of South-Western Punjab. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam having 0.25 per cent organic carbon, available phosphorous 21 kg P/ha, available potassium 997 kg K/ha, pH, 8.5 and EC, 0.40 m mhos/cm. Seven treatments consisting of six intercropping systems i.e. sugarcane with wheat (Triticum aestivum) (1:2), raya (Brassicajuncea) (1:2), pea (Pisum sativum) (1:2), gobhi sarson (Brassica napus) (1:1), barley (Hordeum vulgare) (1:2), gram (Cicer arietinum) (1:2) and sole sugarcane were replicated thrice in RBD. Averaged over two years, sole sugarcane recorded the highest cane yield (71.2 t/ha). The intercropping of gram, peas, wheat, barley, gobhi sarson and raya reduced the cane yield by 3.5, 7.6, 9.5, 15.3, 15.3 and 21.3, respectively, as compared to sole cane crop. Sugarcane quality was unaffected by cropping systems. All the intercropping systems, except sugarcane + barley, recorded higher cane equivalent yield over sole cane crop. Sugarcane + gram recorded the highest cane equivalent yield (91.7 t/ha) and it turned out to be the most profitable intercropping system with the highest net returns (Rs 47,100/ha) and the highest B: C ratio (1:06). Sugarcane + peas was the next profitable intercropping system that gave net returns of Rs 42,900/ha. The intercropping of sugarcane with barley was found economically unviable.