Forage production potential of oat (Medicago sativa L.) – Lucerne (Avena sativa) intercropping under sole and intercropping systems

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2016-2017 at Navsari, Gujarat to study the forage production potential of oat (Medicago sativa L.) – lucerne (Avena sativa) intercropping under sole and intercropping systems. Intercropping system had significant effect on green fodder yield, dry fodder yield, land equivalent ratio, gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio. The results of the experiment showed significant increase in green fodder yield of oat and lucerne, dry fodder yield of oat under different row ratios. However, oat + lucerne in the ratio of 2:1 recorded significantly highest green fodder yield (991.14 q/ha) of oat and lucerne as well as significantly higher dry fodder yield (114.12 q/ha) of oat. The maximum land equivalent ratio (1.44) gross returns (1,98,225/ha), net returns (1,66,341/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (6.22).