Competition functions, productivity and economics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum)-based intercropping system under rainfed conditions of Bihar plateau

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabr) season of 1996-97 and 1997-98 at Deochanda Experiment Station, Hazaribagh, to study the productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)-based intercropping system with cereal, pulses and oilseeds in rainfed uplands of Bihar plateau. Intercropping of chickpea and safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.) in 1 : 1 row ratio proved most efficient system resulting in maximum chickpea-equivalent yield (12.76 qlha), gross (Rs 10, 846) and net (Rs 5, 346lha) monetary returns and benefit :cost ratio (1.97). The same treatment also accounted for higher land-equivalent ratio (1.12), area-time equivalent ratio (0.96), monetary advantage (Rs 1, 1621ha) and maximum product of crowding coefficient (K 1.84) with modest competition coefficient (0.31 : 0.68) which proved the most efficient. Chickpea sown with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in 1:2 row proportion proved to be inefficient intercropping system with minimum chickpea-equivalent yield (9.84 qha) and net monetary returns (Rs 2,7581ha).