Author (s): S. N. Mahfuza1, M. N. Islam*2, A. Hannan3, M. Akhteruzzaman4 and S. Begum5
*Correspondence address: Email:


The experiment was conducted at the research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur during the period from November 2009 to April 2011 to find out suitable intercrop combination for higher economic return. Six treatment combinations were: T1 = pointed gourd + 2 times red spinach (broadcast) + 2 rows (50 cm ×25 cm) turmeric (50%), T2 = pointed gourd + 2 times spinach (broadcast) + 2 rows turmeric, T3 = pointed gourd + 3 rows bush bean (30 cm × 10 cm) + 2 rows turmeric, T4 = pointed gourd + 2 times lalshak (broadcast) + 2 rows (50 cm × 25 cm) ginger (50%), T5 = pointed gourd + 2 times spinach + 2 rows ginger, T6 = pointed gourd + 3 rows bush bean (30 cm × 10 cm) + 2 rows ginger. Sole pointed gourd was also used in this study for comparison. Yield of pointed gourd was reduced under intercropping systems but yield of lalshak spinach, turmeric and ginger were statistically similar in different combinations. Fresh yield of ginger was maximum in T5. The highest pointed gourd yield (26.02 t ha-1) was found in sole plot. But the highest pointed gourd equivalent yield (62.01 t ha-1) was recorded in T5. The highest gross return (Tk 1240200 ha-1), gross margin (Tk 877200 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.42) were obtained from the same combination. The results revealed that pointed gourd + spinach (two times) + ginger (T5) was the most economically viable combination.

Key words: Intercropping, Pointed gourd, Vegetables, Spices

J. Expt. Biosci. 3(1): January 2012 

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