Economic assessment of mustard based intercropping system under semi-arid region of Rajasthan

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025–26 under the semi-arid conditions of Rajasthan to evaluate the performance of mustard (Brassica juncea L.)-based intercropping systems involving chickpea and field pea. The experiment comprised seven treatments, viz., sole mustard, mustard + chickpea (1:1, 2:2 and 2:4 row ratios) and mustard + field pea (1:2, 2:2 and 2:4 row ratios) laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. The results revealed that plant population, plant height, number of seeds per siliqua, test weight and harvest index of mustard were not significantly influenced by different intercropping systems. However, the number of primary branches, secondary branches, siliquae per plant and seed, stover and biological yields were significantly affected. Sole mustard recorded the highest seed yield (2120 kg ha⁻¹), stover yield (4750 kg ha⁻¹) and biological yield (6870 kg ha⁻¹), while among the intercropping systems, mustard + chickpea (2:4) produced the highest mustard seed yield (1325 kg ha⁻¹). The growth and yield of chickpea and field pea were superior under their respective sole cropping systems; however, among the intercropping treatments, mustard + chickpea (2:4) and mustard + field pea (1:2) recorded the highest seed yields of chickpea (1550 kg ha⁻¹) and field pea (868 kg ha⁻¹), respectively. The results indicate that although sole mustard produced the highest individual crop yield, mustard + chickpea in a 2:4 row ratio was the most productive intercropping system among the evaluated combinations because it maintained better growth and yield of both component crops and improved overall system productivity. Therefore, mustard–chickpea intercropping in a 2:4 row ratio can be considered a suitable production strategy for sustainable crop diversification under semi-arid agro-climatic conditions.