Bio-economic assessment of different wheat-canola intercropping systems

Intercropping improves the agronomic output and economic efficiency of a cropping system through effective use of resources than the monoculture. Economic feasibility of different wheat-canola intercropping systems was evaluated by growing hybrid and synthetic canola genotypes as intercrop in wheat. Seven wheat and canola intercropping systems included in the study were 3 rows of wheat + 1 row of hybrid canola, 4 rows of wheat + 2 rows of hybrid canola, 3 rows of wheat + 1 row of synthetic canola, 4 rows of wheat + 2 rows of synthetic canola, wheat sole crop, hybrid canola sole crop and synthetic canola sole crop. Wheat and canola intercropping system with 4 rows of wheat + 2 rows of hybrid canola outperformed with maximum net income, benefit-cost ratio, land equivalent ratio and marginal rate of return compared with all sole and intercrops. However, minimum economic returns and benefit-cost ratios were recorded from sole synthetic canola and its intercrops. Regarding competitive functions, higher values of crowding coefficient and competitive ratio for wheat in all wheat and canola intercropping systems highlighted the dominant behavior of wheat on its companion intercrops. In crux, wheat and canola intercropping with 4 rows of wheat + 2 rows of hybrid canola was more productive and economically profitable than all other inter-and sole crops.