Effect of intercroping geometry inorganic-based cropping models of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of intercropping and crop geometry in organic production of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, during winter season of 2012–13. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design, replicated thrice with three different organic manures and two spacing as main plot treatments and five intercrops including sole crop of broccoli as sub-plot treatments, thus making a total of 30 treatment combinations. Of the 30 treatment combinations, application of vermicompost coupled with single row spacing and sole crop of broccoli (M2S1C1) recordered maximum values of number of leaves (31.6), weight of main head (206.6), girth of head (16.5 cm), number of sprouts/plant (10.8), yield of sprouts/plant (413.4 g), yield of sprouts (main head + sprouts)/plant (620.0 g) and total yield (306.2 q/ha) significantly,while plant height (68.2 cm) was highest in treatment M2S2C1 and yield of intercrops (146.5 q/ha) was recorded maximum in M2S2C5 treatment. Amongst intercropping treatments, broccoli + fenugreek along with vermicompost application following the spacing of 45 cm × 45 cm (M2S1C4) recorded highest growth and yieldattributing characters except number of sprouts/plant which was found significantly better in the treatment (M2S1C3).