Growth and quality parameter of safflower as influenced by different row proportion in intercropping system of safflower (Carthamus tincorius L.) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) under Rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the ‘Growth and quality parameter of safflower as influenced by different row proportion in intercropping system of safflower (Carthamus tincorius L.) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) under Rainfed condition’ during 2015-16 at the Main Agricultural Research Station, Raichur with Randomized Complete Block Design with 7 treatments replicated four times. safflower (cv. S-144) and linseed (cv. NL-115) were intercropped in 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 and 2:2 row proportions at 30 cm rows each and both crops were grown as sole crops at their recommended row spacing (60 cm for safflower and 30 cm for linseed), along with these mixed cropping of safflower and linseed were also included. Results revealed that significantly higher oil yield and oil content of safflower were recorded with their pure stands of the crops. But as when compare with different intercropping system the highest oil yield of safflower was significantly recorded in Safflower + linseed (1:2) 30 cm rows (374 kg ha‑1) and the highest oil content was significantly recorded in Safflower + linseed (1:1) 30 cm rows (30 per cent). However, safflower + linseed (1:2) row proportion recorded significantly higher safflower equivalent yield (1686 kg ha-1) and LER (1.20) followed by safflower + linseed in 1:1 row proportion (1450 kg ha-1 and 1.03, respectively) and sole linseed (1433 kg ha-1 and 1.0, respectively).