System productivity and profitability of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) plus grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) intercropping system

摘要

Field experiments were conducted during 2003-04 and 2004-05 at Lucknow, to study performance of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid complex) + grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) intercropping at various planting geometries (sugarcane sole at 90 cm row spacing, amaranth sole at 45 cm row spacing, sugarcane + amaranth in 1:1 row ratio and sugarcane paired (45:135 cm) + amaranth 2 rows in 135 cm spacing in 2:2 row ratio) and nutrient levels (50% of the recommended dose of fertilizer-(RDF), 75% RDF, 100% RDF, 125% RDF, 150% RDF for the system. Significantly higher number of tillers (318.9 thousand/ha), plant height (324.9 cm), number of millable canes (120.9 thousand/ha), cane length (248.2 cm) and the cane yield (75.7 t/ha) were recorded in sugarcane planted in paired rows of 45:135 cm accommodating 2 rows of grain amaranth intercrop (2:2). The cane equivalent yield (94.6 t/ha), sugar yield (8.77 t/ha) and sugar equivalent yield (11.04 t/ha) were also the highest with this treatment which was, however, on par with sugarcane (90 cm) + amaranth (one row) system. Nourishing the crop with high doses of fertilizer (150% RDF) significantly increased the cane yield (89.2 t/ha) as well as cane equivalent yield (109.1 t/ha). Higher yield advantage (LER 1.92) was realized with sugarcane + amaranth (2:2) intercropping system followed by sugarcane + amaranth (1:1). Sugarcane + amaranth fertilized at 150% RDF fetched the highest net return (Rs 78,135/ha) and B: C ratio (3.14). It was concluded that 2 rows of grain amaranth can be intercropped in autumn sugarcane planted in paired rows (45:135 cm) with 150% RDF to achieve highest system productivity and profitability.