MAXIMUM ECONOMIC RETURN THROUGH INTERCROPPING OF DIFFERENT CROPS IN SEPTEMBER SOWN SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM L.)

Abstract

Sugarcane has a great value as the major source of sugar to more than half of the global population. World population is increasing day-by-day and cultivated land is decreasing rapidly due to urbanization, road construction, and land deterioration. This crisis demands alternate research to increase productivity and maximum economic returns per acre to feed the gigantic population. Intercropping in sugarcane has received much attention due to long duration and late return from sugarcane crop and may become popular among farmers, if it is properly managed. Intercropping has the potential to encourage the farmers to get maximum economic return per acre per annum. For intercropping, wheat, gram, soybean, and potato was used as intercrops in the September-sown sugarcane. Triple row strip planting geometry of sugarcane with four intercropped (SC+ Wheat, SC+ Gram, SC+ Soybean, and SC+ Potato) and check with sole SC was used. Sugarcane was planted during September 2011-12 at the research area of the University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Results showed that number of millable cane, cane diameter; unstripped and stripped cane yield and crop growth rate was higher in sole sugarcane than different inter-crop treatments. The results also showed that intercrops gave higher land equivalent ratio and net return/net income over the sole sugarcane planted, while sole sugarcane gave maximum benefit cost ratio.