Effect of intercropping and INM practices on yield and returns of chilli (Capsicum annuum L)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the impact of intercropping and integrated nutrient management on yield and returns of chilli during late kharif 2015 and 2016 at College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with five main plot treatments i.e. sole chilli (M0), chilli with four intercrops viz., chilli + onion (M1), chilli + coriander (M2), chilli + fenugreek (M3) and chilli + marigold (M4) combined with five sub plot treatments viz., 100% RDN through urea (S0), 25% RDN through FYM + 75% RDN through urea (S1), 25% RDN through vermicompost + 75% RDN through urea (S2), 25% RDN through poultry manure + 75% RDN through urea (S3) and 25% RDN through neem cake + 75% RDN through urea (S4), consisting of 25 treatment combinations, replicated thrice. All the intercrops, except marigold, positively influenced green and dry chilli yield of chilli over chilli sole cropping. Chilli + fenugreek (M3) treatment recorded maximum values for yield and yield attributing parameters of ripe and dry chilli. The competitive functions like LER, ATER indicated that, fenugreek and coriander were the better intercrops in chilli. Among the INM treatments, application of 25% RDN through neem cake + 75% RDN through urea (S4) treatment recorded the highest green and dry chilli yield over application of 100 % RDN through urea (S0). Among the interactions, the chilli, intercropped with fenugreek and applied with 25% RDN through neem cake+ 75% RDN through urea (M3S4) was found superior in terms of yield. However, the maximum gross and net returns were obtained in chilli + onion and lowest gross returns and B: C ratio was obtained in chilli + marigold system irrespective of INM treatments.