Soil Quality Parameters, Crop Yields and Economics as Influenced by Intercropping with Autumn Sugarcane in Subtropical India

Abstract

Autumn sugarcane planting provides ample scope for intercropping of ‘rabi’ season crops in available space between sugarcane rows. The component crops can grow with sugarcane because of the lesser tillering in winter. The intercrop affects the overall productivity and soil quality parameters. Thus, a field experiment was conducted from 2020–2021 to 2023–2024 for four consecutive years with the objectives (1) to assess the effect of different intercrops/ intercropping systems on soil quality parameters, (2) to assess the effect on system productivity, (3) to work out the economics of different intercropping systems, and (4) to suggest the most remunerative cropping systems for subtropical India. Nine treatments viz., T₁: Sugarcane Sole, T₂: Sugarcane + Mustard, T₃: Sugarcane + Garlic, T₄: Sugarcane + Onion, T₅: Sugarcane + Carrot, T₆: Sugarcane + Maize (green cobs purpose), T₇: Sugarcane + Coriander (green leaf), T₈: Sugarcane + Linseed, T₉: Sugarcane + Lentil in different row arrangements were applied in field experiment conducted in randomized block design under three replications. Results briefly indicated that intercropping compatible crops with autumn-planted sugarcane improved soil quality parameters, viz., soil organic carbon, soil microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration, and available nutrient contents after harvesting the sugarcane crop. During 2020–2021 to 2023–2024, various intercrops reduced the mean sugarcane yield by 3.17% (sugarcane + garlic) to 20.05% (sugarcane + maize). However, system productivity could be improved up to 141.1% over the mean yield of sole cane (103.1 t/ha). Intercropping coriander (leaf purpose), garlic, and maize (cobs purpose) with autumn sugarcane was most remunerative compared to other intercrops. Sugarcane + coriander intercropping recorded the highest B:C ratio (2.69); however, the mean B:C of intercrops was 1.91 versus 1.52 with sole cane planting over the four years, indicating the intercropping systems' profitability.