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Research Paper | Agronomy | Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026 | Pages: 1665 - 1671 | India
Effect of Intercropping Toria with Cowpea on Yield, Green Fodder Production, and Economic Efficiency
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during the rabi 2024-25 at the Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, to assess various spacing and row ratio combinations, including sole cropping and intercropping of toria and cowpea in different row arrangements at 30 cm, 45 cm, and 90 cm spacings. The results revealed that intercropping significantly influenced growth attributes such as plant height, number of branches, LAI, and dry matter accumulation in toria, with T7 (toria 90 cm + cowpea 1:3) showing the best vegetative growth. Cowpea growth was also enhanced under wider spacing, particularly in T7 and T6, which recorded the highest plant height, leaf number, and nodulation. Yield-attributing traits such as siliquae per plant, seeds per siliqua, and 1000-seed weight were highest in T5, T6, and T7, yet the maximum seed and stover yields were observed in T8 (Sole Toria 30 cm), followed closely by T1 (toria 30 cm + cowpea 1:1), indicating the benefit of optimal population density. The toria equivalent yield (TEY) and land equivalent ratio (LER), along with quality parameters including oil content, protein content, and yields, were significantly superior in T8 and T1 quality parameters including oil and protein content and yields were significantly superior in T8 and T1, underscoring the impact of better nutrient assimilation. Overall, the study demonstrates that intercropping toria and cowpea in a 1:1 ratio at 30 cm row spacing offers a sustainable approach to enhancing productivity and resource-use efficiency without compromising crop quality.
Keywords: Intercropping, Land equivalent ratio (LER), Oil and Protein content, Row spacing, Toria Equivalent ratio (TER)
How to Cite?: Anchal, Amandeep Kaur, Shailja Sharma, "Effect of Intercropping Toria with Cowpea on Yield, Green Fodder Production, and Economic Efficiency", Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1665-1671, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26205223724, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26205223724