Productivity and feasibility of tropical sugar beet cultivars intercropping with sugarcane under different row proportions in Peninsular India

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out during 2011-12 at Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Madhurakhandi (Dist. Bagalkot), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to evaluate tropical sugar beet cultivars (Cauvery, Shubhra, Magnolia and Calixta) with different row proportions (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) in sugarcane. There were seventeen treatment combinations laid out in randomised complete block design with three replications. Results indicated that sole sugarcane and sugarcane (SC) + sugar beet (SB) in 1:1 RP recorded significantly higher cane (99.21 and 94.75 (average of all cultivars) t ha-1, respectively) and sugar (10.73 and 10.26 (average of all cultivars) t ha-1, respectively) yield when compared to other intercropped treatments (SC + SB in 1:2 and 1:3 RP). Sole sugar beet cultivars Cauvery and Shubhra recorded significantly higher tuber (82.47 and 76.95 t ha-1, respectively) and sugar (9.38 and 8.65 t ha-1, respectively) yield than intercropped treatments. In intercropping system sugar beet cultivars Cauvery and Shubhra in 1:3 and 1:2 row proportions recorded significantly higher tuber and sugar yield than 1:1 RP. Sugarcane (SC) + sugar beet (SB) (cv. Cauvery) in 1:2 and 1:3 RP recorded significantly higher gross returns (Rs. 315802 and 310607 ha-1, respectively) and net returns (Rs. 218446 and 207339 ha-1, respectively) when compared to other treatments, but B:C was significantly higher in 1:1 RP(3.26).