Effect of intercepted radiation and planting geometry on growth and yield of safflower and linseed intercropping system under rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was led at Main Agricultural Research Station, Raichur, Karnataka for Rabi period of 2015-16 under rainfed condition in medium dark soil to study the Effect of intercepted radiation on growth and yield of safflower and linseed intercropping system under different planting row proportion. The outcomes revealed that, among different intercropping systems safflower + linseed (2:2) recorded altogether higher light interception which was comparable to safflower + linseed (1:2) in 30 cm row proportion. The growth indices like plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, TDMP (Total Dry Matter Production) were significantly higher observed in sole safflower and linseed this might be owing to there is no inter and intraspecific computation between two different species whereas, the leaf area and leaf area index was recorded significantly higher in safflower + linseed in 1:2 rows proportions. The safflower + linseed (1:2) recorded significantly higher safflower equivalent yield (1686 kg ha-1) fallowed by by safflower + linseed (1:1) row proportion (1450 kg ha-1). Higher net returns and B:C was recorded in safflower + linseed in 1:2 row ratio (23,212 ha-1 and 2.22) followed by sole linseed (19,376 ha-1) and sole safflower (1:1) (18,979 ha-1).