Influence of Intercropping and Planting Techniques on Sugarcane Yield and Nutrient Absorption in the North West Alluvial Plains of Bihar

Adopting a double-row planting system for sugarcane(Saccharumofficinarum L.) cultivation has emerged as a promising approach to boost both productivity and yield. Additionally, integrating intercropping within sugarcane fields further enhances growth and productivity. To explore the potential benefits of these practices, a study was conducted at the Regional Research Station in Madhopur, West Champaran, during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 growing seasons. The experimental design was a randomized block, consisting of eight treatments with three replications each. The findings revealed that the sole PRS (60 x 60-120 cm) method produced a significantly higher yield compared to the conventional 90 cm furrow method. Among the different intercropping systems and planting methods, the highest cane yield (96.73 t ha-1), maximum single cane weight (1079 g), greatest green top yield (14.69 t ha-1), and trash yield (9.98 t ha-1) were achieved by the PRS intercropped with gram (Cicer arietinum). Potato recorded the highest yield (20 t ha-1) among the intercrops. The study also noted significant uptake of nitrogen and potassium, though phosphorus uptake was not significant. The highest uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium occurred when PRS sugarcane was intercropped with vegetable pea (Pisum sativum).In conclusion, the paired row planting method for sugarcane proved more advantageous and profitable than the conventional 90 cm spacing method. The intercropping combination of sugarcane and pea in the paired row planting method (60 x 60-120 cm) was identified as the most lucrative, closely followed by the combination of sugarcane intercropped with gram.