Studies on Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) based Intercropping Systems as Influenced by Integreted Nutrient Management on Yield and Economics under Moisture Scarce Condition

With growing population the demand of water for various purposes is ever increasing. On the other hand, the availability of water resources is limited in space and time. A systematic and scientific planning for its optimal utilization is high imperative. The scarcity of water regarded as the most important factors in crop production, is usually a limiting factor in semi-arid regions. To meet the future food demands for water among various sectors, a more efficient use of water will be essential (Bhatt et al., 2016).


Introduction
With growing population the demand of water for various purposes is ever increasing. On the other hand, the availability of water resources is limited in space and time. A systematic and scientific planning for its optimal utilization is high imperative. The scarcity of water regarded as the most important factors in crop production, is usually a limiting factor in semi-arid regions. To meet the future food demands for water among various sectors, a more efficient use of water will be essential (Bhatt et al., 2016).
The integrated nutrient management has now gaining importance because of the present negative balance and neither the chemical fertilizers alone nor the potential alternative source of nutrient can achieve the production sustainability of soils and crops under intensive cultivation.
Under such conditions integration of indigenously available organic sources of nutrients with inorganic sources is of vital significance for sustaining the productivity and fertility of soil (Sharma and Saroa, 2017). Vermicompost is a good organic source of plant nutrient and growth hormone which enhance plant growth and microbial population (Awasthi et al., 2011).
Inoculation of biofertilizers (PSB) reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers with a view to attain an ecofriendly environment. Significant advantages in land use efficiency, crop productivity and monetary returns in intercropping as compared with sole cropping of component crops have been recorded under varied agroclimatic conditions (Singh et al., 2008, Rehman et al., 2009and Singh et al., 2011. The role of balanced use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in boosting productivity is well known. However, such information is lacking in the sub-tropical rainfed agroecosystems of Uttar Pradesh.
Henceforth this study was undertaken to evaluate the suitable cropping pattern, nitrogen fertilization and standardization of vermicompost doses in the region besides their optimal combination of the monetary and non-monetary inputs on productivity of rainfed crops.

Materials and Methods
A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Soil Conservation and Water Management Farm of C S Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur in alluvial soil under rainfed condition. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture and slightly calcareous having organic carbon 0.32%, total nitrogen 0.03%, available P 2 O 5 16.0 kg ha -1 , available K 2 O 155 kg ha -1 , pH 7.7, electrical conductivity 0.37 dS m -1 , wilting point 6.2%, field capacity 18.4%, water holding capacity 29.6%, Bulk density 1.46 Mg m -1 , Particle density 2.56 Mg m -1 and porosity 42.9%. The field experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications, keeping cropping systems in main plots and INM in subplots. The treatment comprising 9 cropping systems viz. C 1 : Linseed sole, C 2: Lentil sole, C 3: Barley sole, C 4: Linseed + lentil (3:1), C 5: Linseed + barley (3:1), C 6 : Linseed + lentil (4:1), C 7 : Linseed + barley (4:1), C 8: Linseed + lentil (5:1) and C 9: Linseed + barley (5:1) and 3 integrated nutrient management viz. N 1 : RDN, N 2 : 75% RDN through inorganic + 25% RDN through vermicompost N 3: 75% RDN through inorganic + 25% RDN through vermicompost + bio-fertilizer (seed coating) + PSB @ 2.5 kg ha -1 in soil. Cost of cultivation was calculated by taking in to account the prevailing prices of the inputs. The minimum support price for the grains of linseed, lentil and barley were taken in to account over the years and used for computing linseed equivalent ratio as per (Willey, 1979). The economic efficiency in terms of Rs. ha -1 day -1 was worked out by dividing the total net monetary returns by total duration of the crops. The economics of various cropping systems was also worked out to assess the most viable and remunerative cropping systems under rainfed condition.

Results and Discussion
The information on seed yield of linseed, lentil and barley as well as linseed equivalent yield for different treatments indicated that the seed yield was significantly influenced by the different treatments over the periods of experimentation (Table 1).  Sole cropping showed significantly higher yield as compared to intercropping treatments. However, linseed equivalent yield was significantly highest under linseed + lentil (3:1) followed by linseed + lentil (4:1) whereas lowest equivalent yield was obtained in the treatment of linseed + barley (5:1) among different cropping systems during two different years. Application of 75% RDN through inorganic + 25% RDN through vermicompost + biofertilizer (seed coating) + PSB @ 2.5 kg ha -1 in soil brought about significantly highest seed yield and lowest values under RDN as well as linseed equivalent yield might be due to integrated application of fertilizers and organic sources has been also reported by Dubey et al., (2015).
Land equivalent ratio (LER) of all treatments of cropping systems was more than unity (Table 2). It was due to beneficial effect of intercropping on productivity of component crops. Treatment of linseed + lentil (3:1) attained highest values (1.32 and 1.33) than other cropping systems during both the years which might be due to comparatively higher productivity of the system. Better utilization of land and growth resources by the crops in intercropping systems has also been reported by Sharma, and Goswami (2010 (Nikam et al., 2008). Economic efficiency of different treatments further proved the potential of different cropping systems as well as application of INM. The scrutiny of the data clearly indicate that economic efficiency was maximum (Rs178.61 ha -1 day -1 ) in the treatment of linseed + lentil (3:1) and minimum (Rs 139.80 ha -1 day -1 ) under linseed + barley (5:1) during the two different years.
Based on two years of experiment it may be inferred that linseed + lentil (3:1) supplemented with 75% RDN through inorganic + 25% RDN through vermicompost + biofertilizer (seed coating) + PSB @ 2.5 kg ha -1 in soil showed good potential for sustainable production and proved to be quite remunerative in rainfed alluvial tract of Uttar Pradesh.