Effect of intercropping on growth, yield and economics of cotton under rainfed condition

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in cotton growing area barind tract at Chapainawabganj during July 2021 to February 2022 for maximum benefit of cotton production with blackgram intercropping. For this experiment, a randomized complete block design with three replications were used to test the performance of six different intercroppping, including T₁ = cotton + jute, T₂ = cotton + blackgram, T₃ = cotton + spinach, T₄ = cotton + radish, T₅ = cotton + okra, and T₆ = sole cotton. The results revealed that the highest seed cotton 3134.40 kg ha^-1 was produced in sole cotton growing field. Blackgram as an intercrop was given the highest gross return (354738 taka ha^-1), net profit (214238 taka ha^-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.52) as compared with other intercrops. Therefore, intercropping of black gram with cotton may be more economical for a good idea for farmers who grow only sole cotton in order to increase their economic return.