Biological potential and economic feasibility of intercropping of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) with pulses and oilseeds under different planting patterns on rice fallow land

A field experiment was conducted during the spring season of 1995 and 1996 at Baruipur, to study the productivity and economic profitability of sunflo wer (Helianthus annuus L.)-based intercropping systems on rice (Oryza sativ a L.) fallow genetic alluvial land. Intercropping of groundnut (Arachis hyp ogaea L.) with normal planting of sunflower was found beneficial and sustai nable over sole cropping of sunflower. Among the intercrop associations. no rmal row (45 cm) planting of sunflower with groundnut resulted in maximum s unflower-equivalent yield (26.05 q/ha), land-equivalent ratio (1.52), monet ary advantage (Rs 6,238/ha), net return (Rs 9,130/ha), income-equivalent ra tio (2.36) and indicated a modest aggressivity factor (+/- 0.16), competiti ve ratio (1.23 : 0.87) and gave a good value for the product of crowding co efficient (K 11.51) and area-time equivalent ratio (1.37), which proved mos t efficient system among ail the intercropping systems.