Intercropping studies in potato (Solanum tuberosum) under temperate conditions of Kashmir.

摘要

A field experiment was conducted during three consecutive kharif seasons from 2003-05 to analyse the performance of different intercrop combinations of potato, viz., potato sole (T₁), intercropping between rows of potato cv K. Jyoti with maize (T₂), beans (T₃), peas (T₄), cowpea (T₅) carrot (T₆), radish (T₇) and turnip (T₈). Among various intercrop combinations, the average potato equivalent yield was found to be significantly highest in potato+radish (T₆) i.e. 401.52 q/ha followed by potato+turnip (T₅) with average potato equivalent yield of 374.78 q/ha the yield advantage due to intercrops radish and turnip was 101.69 and 74.95 q/ha, respectively, over sole potato. The intercropping in potato with legumes, beans, peas and cow peas also recorded higher potato equivalent yield but the extent of yield advantage was much less ranging from 1.36 q with beans to 18.96 q/ha with cowpea over sole potato. The net returns were highest from potato+radish (Rs 1.563 lakhs) followed by potato+turnip (Rs 1.557 lakhs). The additional returns due to intercrop radish was Rs 46 600/ha over sole potato while with turnip it was Rs 46 100/ha. Growing of short duration root crop like radish or turnip as intercrop between rows of main crop potato is therefore recommended for realizing higher productivity and more net returns under high altitude conditions of Kashmir valley.