Abstract
Intercropping with legumes makes effective use of land and other resources and results in reduced cost of production.
Increased agricultural production through intercropping with minimal cost is need of time to feed increasing population. The
reported work evaluates the biological efficiencies and economics of pea, garlic, turnip and cauliflower grown as sole crops
and when pea intercropped in garlic, turnip and cauliflower during 2010-12. All the vegetables generally yielded more when
grown as single crop compared with when pea was intercropped in these vegetables. In peas in garlic intercropping, pea yield
was not significantly affected; however, garlic yield was significantly reduced (65.8%). Pea intercropping in turnip or
cauliflower resulted in significantly lower yields of both crops (29.1 and 28.0%, respectively) as compared with their sole
cropping. All other characteristics (plant growth and yield components) of all the four crops which indicate biological
efficiency generally were greater when grown as single crops and decreased in intercropping combinations. Analysis of
intercropping treatments revealed that pea intercropping in turnip resulted in the highest marginal rate of return (8,875%),
followed by pea intercropping in cauliflower (6,977%), due to lower input costs incurred per hectare. However, net benefit to
the growers was higher (Rs. 327,925) in case of pea intercropping in cauliflower, followed by pea intercropping in garlic (Rs.
213,425).
