Effect of row proportions and moisture conservation practices on growth yield and economics of sunflower in sunflower and sesame intercropping system

Abstract

Field experiment was carried out during rabi 2024 at Raichur with an objective to determine the impact of row proportions and moisture conservation in sunflower and sesame intercropping. A split-plot design was adopted, replicated thrice. Treatments were soil moisture conservation measure surface mulching @ 5 t ha⁻¹ at 15 days (DAS) and spray of multinutrient @ 8 g L-1 at 30 and 60 DAS in main plots and sunflower + sesame intercropping compared with sole crops in subplots. Moisture conservation measure has improved the productivity of sunflower (1251 kg ha⁻¹) and sesame (542 kg ha⁻¹), and oil yield (460 and 96 kg ha⁻¹). It has also enhanced plant height, leaf area, light interception, and dry matter production of both the crops. In the economic perspective, adoption of moisture conservation practices with crop residue mulching and foliar multinutrient spray @ 8 ml L-1 gave maximum gross returns (Rs.91,524 ha⁻¹), net returns (Rs.50,317 ha⁻¹), and benefit cost ratio (2.18), compared to the control. Among the intercropping systems, paired sunflower + sesame (2:2) proved most remunerative has achieved the higher gross returns (Rs.94,732 ha⁻¹), net returns (Rs.52,314 ha⁻¹) and BC ratio (2.23), followed by sunflower + sesame in paired rows (2:1).