A PROPOSED INDEX FOR ASSESSMENT OF ROW-REPLACEMENT INTERCROPPING SYSTEM

A new index has been proposed for assessing an intercropping system wh ere the component crops are in row-replacement series. It determines t he Actual Yield Loss or gain (An) in respect to a component crop in an intercropping situation. Here the sown proportion of the component cr ops with regard to its sole one is to be considered. This index appear s to be more appropriate than other established indices like land equi valent ratio (LER), relative yield loss, etc., particularly when per p lant yield is considered. Partial AYLs which are the two components of this index) can be considered as indicators regarding the competition existing between the component intercrops.