Plant density and row arrangement of lentil (Lens culinaris) and mustard (Brassica juncea) intercropping for higher productivity under Bihar plateau

A 3-year field experiment was conducted during winter season of 1995-98 to find out the suitable plant density-and row arrangement of lentil (Lens cul inaris Medikus) + mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czenj. & Cosson] intercropp ing for higher productivity.: Treatments consisted of 9 combinations of len til + mustard intercropping along with their respective sole cropping. Six intercrop systems were in additive series with 100% lentil + 25 and 50% mus tard each in 3 row ratios (2:1, 3:1 and 5:1) and the remaining 3 in replace ment series where 33, 25 and 17% lentil was replaced by mustard in the corr esponding row ratios of 2:1, 3 :1 and 5:1. Grain-yield of intercropped: len til and mustard decreased irrespective of their plant density and-row arran gement, except the grain: yield of lentil under 100% lentil + 25% mustard a nd 83% lentil + 17% mustard both in 5 : 1 row ratio; Reduction of lentil yi eld was-more than that of mustard yield with respect to the corresponding p lant density, and the extent of reduction in intercrop lentil yield was mor e in additive (32.5%) than in replacement (2913%): series, whereas the reve rse was true for mustard. intercropping of 100% lentil + 25% mustard in. 5 : 1 row ratio produced as high intercrop lentil yield (1,120 kg/ha) as sole lentil. (1;250 kg/ha) with a bonus yield of mustard (700 kg/ha) and had ma ximum lentil-equivalent yield (1,850 kg/ha). net return (Rs 19,824/ha), lan d-equivalent ratio (1.54), monetary advantage (Rs 8,738/ha and net benefit : cost ratio (3.89).