MSc

An investigation on the produtivity of ashgourd as influenced by crop
combinations was conducted at the Vegetable Research Plots of the Department of
Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara in 1997. The study evaluated the
biological efficiency and economic feasibility of various intercropping systems.
The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications.
The base crop ashgourd was raised in pit and trench system along with intercrops
cucumber, pole cowpea, bush cowpea and amaranthus in two and three crop
combinations. In addition to these treatments sole crops were raised as control plots.
Observations were made on growth characters and yield and yield attributing
characters. The calculations on biological efficiency and economic suitability were
worked out using different indices.
The results revealed that planting patte.rn did not significantly influence
most of the growth and yield contributing characters in ashgourd, cucumber and
pole cowpea. The yield was maximum in the trench system of planting due to more
number of plants that could be accomodated in this system. The performance of
bush cowpea and amaranthus were similar when grown as pure crop or intercrop in
this particular system. In the case of other crops, pure cropping recorded a higher
growth than when intercropped.
Fruit characters like length, circumference and flesh thickness of
ashgourd also were not significantly influenced by planting pattern but the pit
system gave a higher value than trench system.


Effective weed suppression was obtained due to intercropping than in the
pure crops but there was no difference in the pest and disease attack in pure and
intercropped conditions.
LER, LEe, ATER and aggressivity values revealed the biosuitability of
ashgourd based cropping system.
As pure crops, ashgourd, cucumber, pole cowpea, bush cowpea and
amaranthus recorded maximum growth and yield contributing characters and yield
as compared to the intercropping treatments. However, economic analysis revealed
that intercropping is advantageous than their respective sole crops.
Economic indices like gross return, net return and per day return was
higher for the combination of ashgourd + cucumber + amaranthus. This was closely
followed by ashgourd + cucumber + bush cowpea combination which recorded only
a difference of Rs.1318.75 and Rs.620 1.39 during first and second seasons
respectively.
Performance of pure and intercropped pole cowpea was poor in these two
seasons hence its performance in these cropping system need to be further
evaluated.
Growing ashgourd and cucumber in trenches of size 2 m x 60 cm x 60
cm with amaranthus as intercrop in an area of 4 m2 was found to be the best
treatment.
Thus the study conclusively revealed the scope of recommending
ashgourd-cucumber-amaranthus intercropping system as an economically viable,
biologically suitable and sustainable cropping system to increase vegetable
production in Kerala.