Spices intercropping with autumn-planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

A field experiment was conducted during 1993-95, 1994-96 and 1995-97 to work out the production potential and economic feasibility of spices intercropping with autumn-planted 'CoS 767' sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Intercropping of garlic (Allium cepa L.) with autumn cane improved the cane yield by 8.10%, while other spices as intercrop affected the cane yield adversely. The decrease in yield was the lowest (2.10%) under cane + cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) and the highest (11.15%) under cane + black mustard [Brassica nigra (L.) Koch] compared to sole crop of cane. Among different intercropping systems. cane + garlic (Allium sativum L.) was found much beneficial giving the highest net return of Rs 80,255/ha. followed by cane + fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) (Rs 72,849/ha) amounting to 86.53% and 69.55% more than that the autumn cane alone. These treatments reflected a higher benefit : cost ratio of 3.52 and 3.44 compared with 2.28 under cane alone. The intercrop cumin failed in all the experimental seasons, showing net loss of return up to 9.32% due to its intercropping in cane. Effect of spices intercropping on juice-quality parameters was not significant.