STUDIES ON INTERCROPPING SUMMER FODDERS IN COTTON

Abstract

Performance of different summer fodders as intercrops in cotton was studied at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Cotton was planted in 80-cm apart single rows and 120-cm spaced double row strips, while maize, sorghum, ricebean and cowpea fodders were intercropped in the space between 80-cm apart single rows as well as 120-cm spaced double row strips of cotton. The intercrops produced substantially smaller fresh weights in either planting pattern compared to the sole crop yields. However, intercropping system as a whole resulted in higher economic returns as compared to the sole crop of cotton. All the fodders intercropped in 120-cm apart double row strips of cotton produced significantly higher fresh weight as compared to 80-cm apart single rows, intercropping system.