Abstract :
A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil of Agronomy Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, Chimanbhai Patel College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during the rabi seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to study rabi fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) based intercropping systems under different row spacing. The soil of the experimental plot was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potash. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Twenty four treatment combinations comprised of four row spacing viz., S1 : (45 cm), S2 : (60 cm), S3 : (75 cm) and S4 : (90 cm) and six intercropping systems treatment viz., IC1 : Fennel sole, IC2 : Fennel + carrot (1:1), IC3 : Fennel + cabbage (1:1), IC4 : Fennel + cauliflower (1:1), IC5 : Fennel + radish (1:1) and IC6 : Fennel + vegetable fenugreek (1:1) were evaluated. The highest seed and straw yields were recorded when the crop was sown at 60 cm row spacing while the lowest seed yield was obtained with the narrow row spacing i.e., 45 cm and straw yield was found with wider row spacing i.e., 90 cm. However, volatile oil and protein yields differed significantly. Significantly higher volatile oil and protein yields were recorded under 60 cm row spacing. Seed and straw yields were recorded significantly the highest with fennel sole as compared to intercropping systems. However, volatile oil and protein yields were recorded significantly the highest with sole fennel. Available nitrogen and phosphorus secured significantly higher values with fennel + vegetable fenugreek (1:1).
Keyword :
Row spacing, Intercropping systems, Fennel