Competitive indices of wheat + compact-mustard intercropping in a 5:1 row proportion as influenced by fertilizer doses and seed rates of wheat varieties

A field experiment in a split-plot design with three replications was conducted on wheat + compact-mustard intercropping in a 5:1 row proportion at the research farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India, during the winter seasons of 2005.–2006 and 2006.–2007. The main plot treatment involved a combination of three fertilizer doses [100, 120 and 140% recommended fertilizer dose (RFD) to wheat, accompanied by 100% RFD to mustard] and two wheat varieties (HD-2824 and HUW-468); the subplot treatment consisted of three seed rates of wheat (100, 115 and 130 kg ha−1). The treatment differences were studied intensively in light of the various reciprocity indices. Wheat variety HD-2824 at 115 kg ha−1 seed rate and 140% RFD, intercropped with compact-mustard variety Sanjukta Aschesh at 100% RFD in a 5:1 row proportion, resulted in the best land utilization, maximum productivity and monetary advantage. Among the various yield indices studied, area time equivalent ratio (ATER), competi...