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TITLE:

BIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF WHEAT-CANOLA INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS

AUTHORS:

Hafiz Maqbool Ahmad, Qaisar Muhammad Ali, Adil Hussain, Farah Tufail

ABSTRACT:

Rapid changes in dietary habits and ever-increasing population of Pakistan demand increase in edible oil availability. Stagnant rather decreased domestic oilseeds production further makes the situation miserable. This issue can be addressed through adaptation of good techniques. Canola growing period coincides with wheat and wheat is staple food of Pakistan thus farmers are not ready to sacrifice growing of canola in place of wheat. Intercropping increases crop production per unit area and time with efficient use of resources especially for small land holders. An experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2012-13 to assess the feasibility of wheat-canola intercropping. Statistical model Randomized complete block design [RCBD] was used keeping net plot size of 5.0 m × 3.0 m for each treatment. Treatments were comprised of wheat alone, canola alone, wheat + two rows of canola, wheat + four rows of canola. Fisher’s analysis of variance technique and least significant difference test [LSD] at 5% probability level were used to analyze the data and comparison of differences among treatments’ means respectively. Results of experiment depicted that seed yield of wheat reduced from 4493 in wheat sole to 4163 and 3792 kg ha 1 in wheat plus 2 rows of canola and wheat plus 4 rows of canola, respectively while this reduction was compensated by the additional yield 283 and 781 kg ha 1 from 2 rows and 4 rows of canola, respectively. All yield contributing parameters such as number of fertile tillers per plot, plant height, spike length, number of spikelet per spike and 1000-grain weight were reduced in intercropping than sole wheat. Canola yield contributing parameters were reduced in intercropping combination. Greater land equivalent ratio [1.25] was observed in four rows of canola. Wheat was dominated crop in intercropping as shown by the aggressivety value and relative crowding coefficient values. Maximum net field benefits [83019] and benefit cost ratio [1.92] was obtained through wheat plus four rows of canola. It was concluded that wheat + 4 rows of canola intercropped in multi-row strips can give better yield advantages and sufficient amount of edible oil for house hold use at farm level under Faisalabad conditions. Keywords: Bio-Economic, Assessment, Canola, Intercropping Systems.

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