Profit Maximization through Efficient Land Use as influenced by Broccoli Based Intercropping (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

Abstract

The field investigation was conducted out at Experimental Farm, Division of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu to study the effect of intercropping systems on production and economics of Broccoli based system. The treatments comprised of 15 treatments where, eight treatments taken as sole crop, namely, T1- Broccoli, T2- Knol-khol, T3- Beetroot, T4- Spinach beet, T5-Fenugreek, T6- Coriander, T7- Lettuce, T8- Swiss chard and seven treatments taken as intercrop, namely, T9- Broccoli + Knol-khol, T10- Broccoli + Beetroot, T11- Broccoli + Spinach beet, T12- Broccoli + Fenugreek, T13- Broccoli + Coriander, T14- Broccoli + Lettuce, T15- Broccoli + Swiss chard. The experiment was allocated in Randomized Block Design (RBD) compromising of three replications comprising of fifteen treatments. Broccoli out performed in terms of maximum yield (172.53 q/ha) when grown as as sole crop. Under intercropping system, broccoli + swiss chard combination recorded maximum LER (1.42) while, broccoli + coriander combination recorded maximum value for BEY (164.02 q/ha). Among the cropping systems, broccoli + swiss chard recorded highest values of gross return (Rs. 698091.2), net return (Rs. 588524.4) and B:C ratio (6.37). It concluded that broccoli intercropping with swiss chard is more productive and remunerative than sole broccoli.