Influence of different rice (Oryza sativa)-legume associations on the performance of succeeding crops of linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)

In a field investigation during the dry seasons of 1991-93 two oilseed crop s, namely, linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and safflower (Carthamus tincto rius L.), were tested under a typical rainfed upland condition which were p receded by different rice-legume associations comprising greengram (Phaseol us radiatus L.), blackgram (P. mungo L.) and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. The total water (consumptive use) was recorded to be the highest with the plots which succeeded rice+blackgram intercropping system at a hig her level of fertility during 1991-92, but during 1992-93, the highest valu es of total water use were recorded with the plots, where previously rice pigeonpea was practised at a higher level of fertility. Both the crops wer e found extracting greater percentage of moisture from the top 15 cm soil d epth during both the years of experimentation. The total number of branches /plant, number of capsules/heads/plant and 1,000-seed weight of the crops w ere higher in the plots, where previously rice + blackgram intercropping sy stem was adopted at a higher level of fertility, and the final seed yield o f both the crops showed the same trend during both the years of experimenta tion.