INTERCROPPING OF PULSES IN SUGARCANE A REVIEW

• Published in: Pakistan sugar journal Vol. 38; no. 4; p. 12
• Main Authors: Kaukab, Sadia, Hussain, Khalid, Muhammad Ehsan Khan, Qurat ul Ain Fatima, Zulkaif Maqsood, Hamna Zahid, Saeed, Shaista, Ilyas, Kalsoom
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faisalabad AsiaNet Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd 31.12.2023
• Subjects: Agricultural economics; Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Autumn; Beneficial arthropods; Biodiversity; Cost analysis; Cost control; Crop management; Crop production systems; Cropping systems; Crops; Economic analysis; Economics; Farmers; Farming systems; Fertilizers; Insects; Intercropping; Microclimate; Nitrogen; Nutrients; Pest control; Pesticides; Pests; Planting density; Productivity; Seasons; Soil fertility; Sugarcane; Sustainability; Pakistan
• ISSN: 1028-1193

ABSTRACT Growing two or more crops concurrently in one field known as intercropping, has drawn interest as a sustainable and profitable agricultural strategy. The intercropping of pulses, especially leguminous crops, with sugarcane is the main topic of this research paper. Examining this intercropping system's possible advantages, difficulties, and prospectus for the future is a goal. Farmers who intercrop pulses with sugarcane may be able to boost output by making better use of their resources. Because of their capacity to fix nitrogen, pulses can increase soil fertility and aid in the development of sugarcane. Additionally, the intercropping method produces a microclimate that is conducive to the growth of both crops. Moreover, intercropping sugarcane with pulses lowers the need for chemical inputs and provides opportunities for pest management. Pulses make a good companion plant because they draw beneficial insects that help manage pests and diseases, which lessens the need for artificial pesticides. Furthermore, pulses aid in the fixation of nitrogen, which lowers the requirement for nitrogen fertilizers and encourages sustainable nutrient management techniques. Despite these potential advantages the intercropping of pulses with sugarcane poses certain challenges concerning crop compatibility and resource competition. For the crops to coexist successfully, agronomic practices like nutrient management and planting density must be optimized. Furthermore, in-depth investigation is required to determine intercropping compatible pulse-sugarcane combinations. The economic feasibility of intercropping must also be taken into account. Sugarcane farmers face financial crises every year due to the sugarcane factory's delayed payment so to overcome this, six pulse intercropping, sugarcane + rajma, sugarcane + lentil, sugarcane + pea, sugarcane + green gram, and sugarcane + black gram was evaluated on farms with cane single crop. So, it is noticed that sugarcane + Rajma as intercrop has the highest net return per hectare Rs. 166399 with the B: C ratio (1.77) in contrast to the others. Even though sugarcane and pulse intercropping have the potential to increase income streams and lower input costs, economic analysis should be done case by case, taking local conditions, crop prices, and market demand into account. More study, policy support, and stakeholder cooperation are advised to realize the advantages of intercropping pulses with sugarcane fully. Subsequent studies ought to concentrate on refining crop management techniques and creating customized guidelines for various cropping systems and geographical areas. Furthermore, encouraging the adoption of intercropping techniques can be greatly aided by government incentives and policies. To sum up, intercropping sugarcane with pulses is a sustainable and profitable agricultural method that can improve output, financial stability, efficient use of resources, and control of pests. This approach can potentially enhance the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of sugarcane farming systems, despite certain obstacles.