PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF POTATO (SOLANUM-TUBEROSUM) AND INDIAN MUSTARD(BRASSICA-JUNCEA) UNDER DIFFERENT PLANTING PATTERNS AND FERTILITY LEVELS

A field experiment was conducted during 1990-91 and 1991-92 to study t he production potential of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and Indian mu stard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. and Cosson] in 5 cropping systems (pure potato, pure Indian mustard and their intercropping in 2 : 1, 3 : 1 and 4 : 1 row proportions in uniform row spacing of 50 cm) and 5 n utrient levels (40, 80, 120 kg N, 80 kg N + 83 kg K and 120 kg N + 83 K kg/ha). Yield of potato tuber and Indian mustard seed was the highes t in pure stand than in intercrop stands. Average yield recovery in In dian mustard was 57, 56 and 41% and in potato 55, 75 and 75% in 2 : 1, 3 : 1 and 4 : 1 system respectively. Land-equivalent ratio and net re turns were the highest in 3 : 1 potato-Indian mustard intercropping sy stem. These parameters were also the highest with 120 kg N + 83 kg N/h a. Effect of N on yield was up to 80 kg/ha in both crops; whereas that of K in combination with N (80 and 120 kg N/ha) was noted in tuber yi eld only.