Compatibility and Economic Feasibility of Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Moench Intercropping with Different Kharif Crops Under Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2021 and 2022 to study the newlinecompatibility and performance of buckwheat as an intercrop with different kharif crops in newlineNorthern Transition Zone of Karnataka at MARS, UAS, Dharwad. The investigation includes newlinetwo experiments. 1. Intercropping studies of buckwheat with kharif pulses and oilseed crops. newlineThe treatments included intercropping buckwheat with crops viz., greengram, blackgram, newlinegroundnut and soybean in 2:2, 3:1 and 4:2 row proportions and compared with their newlinerespective sole crops. 2. Intercropping studies of buckwheat with tall growing kharif crops newlineviz., maize, sweet corn, baby corn, sunflower and chia in 1:1 and 2:4 row ratios compared newlinewith their respective sole crops. Both experiments were laid out in Randomised Block Design newlinewith factorial concept replicated thrice. newlineThe results revealed that among different crops buckwheat performed well with newlinegroundnut followed by soybean. Among different row proportions, buckwheat in 2:2 recorded newlinehigher growth and yield (387 kg ha-1). However, sole buckwheat (816 kg ha-1) performed newlinebetter compared to intercropping treatments. Among the intercropping treatments, buckwheat newlinerecorded higher LAI (1.76), dry matter production (9.44 g plant-1), grain and straw yield (453 newlineand 844 kg ha-1) when intercropped with groundnut in 2:2 ratio. Growth and yield parameters newlineof the base crops like greengram, blackgram, groundnut and soybean were not affected by the newlineintercropping with buckwheat in any of the row ratios. With respect to overall productivity of newlinethe system, groundnut+buckwheat (4:2 row ratio) recorded higher, LER (1.21), ATER (1.01), newlinenet returns (` 89,503 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.31) which was followed by groundnut + newlinebuckwheat (3:1) and soybean+buckwheat (4:2). Whereas, blackgram+buckwheat (2:2) newlinerecorded lower ATER (0.84), net returns (` 21,811 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.5). newlineAmong the different tall growing kharif crops buckwheat performed well when newlineintercropped with maize followed by sweet corn. Buckwheat recorded higher LAI (1.84), dry newlinema