Complementary effects of nitrogen levels and planting configuration of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) intercropping on yield gains

Present investigation was carried during the rabi season of 2020-2021, Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, to investigate the performance of different intercropping patterns of mustard and chickpea under varying levels of nitrogen fertilization. Treatments comprised of- T₁ (solo mustard with recommended dose of fertilizer, RDF); T₂ (solo chickpea with RDF); T₃ (mustard + chickpea in 3:1 with 100 kg of nitrogen per hectare); T₄ (mustard + chickpea in 3:1 with 75 kg N/ha); T₅ (mustard + chickpea in 3:1 with 50 kg N/ha); T₆ (mustard + chickpea in 4:2 with 100 kg N/ha); T₇ (mustard + chickpea in 4:2 with 75 kg N/ha); and T₈ (mustard + chickpea in 4:2 with 50 kg N/ha). However, treatment T₃ (3:1 mustard + chickpea, 100 kg N/ha) had the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.56, followed by 1.46 under treatment T₆ (4:2 mustard + chickpea, 100 kg N/ha). The highest seed yield of mustard and chickpea (8.58 q/ha and 9.73 q/ha, respectively) was found under treatment T₃ (3:1 mustard + chickpea, 100 Kg N/ha) suggesting its potential for superior yield returns.