Yield, Quality and Soil Fertility as Influenced by Rabi Castor (Ricinus communis L.) Based Intercropping System

An experiment was conducted at C. P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar on loamy sand soil using a randomised block design with three replications during 2013-14. Results revealed that sole castor, castor + lucerne and castor + fenugreek (1:2) found equally effective with respect to seed yield of castor. Among the intercrops viz-., lucerne, chicory, fenugreek and carrot, the maximum green forage yield of lucerne/chicory, seed yield of fenugreek and root yield of carrot were obtained when they were sown as sole crop. A similar trend was also observed in stalk / dry fodder/straw / green fodder yield of castor and intercrops. Rabi castor intercropped with lucerne, carrot, fenugreek and chicory at 1:2 row ratio produced significantly higher castor equivalent yield, 3297, 3057, 2731 and 3237 kg ha-l respectively over sole castor and other intercrops as sole. While intercropping of castor + fenugreek and castor + lucerne at 1:2 row ratio recorded significantly higher LER (Land equivalent ratio) value than sole crops and other intercropping systems. Oil content in castor/crude protein and crude fibre content in lucerne and chicory/total soluble salts in carrot were found higher in their sole crop treatments as compared to intercrop. Oil yield was found significantly higher in sole castor than other treatments. Nutrient status of soil viz.,% organic carbon, available N, P, K and S after harvest of crops did not differ significantly due to different treatments.