PRODUCTION POTENTIAL, ECONOMICS AND ENERGETICS OF UPLAND COTTON (GOSSYPIUM-HIRSUTUM)-BASED INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS UNDER UPLAND, RAIN-FED SITUATION

An experiment was conducted under upland, rainfed condition during 3 rainy seasons of 1986-88 to study the relative performance of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-based intercropping systems, Intercropping reduced the grain yield of both the component crops in cotton + rice (Oryza sativa L.), cotton + finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.], cotton + greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.), cotton + blackgram (P. mungo L.) and cotton + groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) intercropping systems. The reduction in intercrop yield was higher (22.76-42.86%) than in cotton yield (5.9-20.64%) in the intercropping, indicating higher competitive effect of cotton than of intercrops. Maximum reduction in seed-cotton yield (20.64%) was recorded in association with groundnut and minimum with blackgram (5.9%). Among the intercrops maximum reduction was registered in the yield of greengram (42.86%) and minimum that of rice (22.276%) and blackgram (26.93%) due to intercropping with cotton. Reduction in cotton yield (in intercropping) was due to decrease in its sympodial branches, boll number and seed-cotton yield/plant. Association of blackgram with cotton increased the harvest index, land-use efficiency, monetary return, cost : benefit ratio, monetary advantage and energy output : input ratio with less energy input, compared with sole cotton, which proved the most efficient system. Despite highest energy input in cotton + rice, it proved more productive for total dry-matter production, economic yield and energy use than sole cotton. Cotton in association with groundnut, rice and finger millet consumed more soil moisture than with greengram and blackgram. At harvest of cotton, soil moisture tended to equalize in all the treatments.