Effect of relay intercropping of castor in kharif groundnut on system productivity and economic returns

Castor and groundnut are important oilseed crop in India. Groundnut crop is sown at the onset of monsoon and while castor is grown in September in Gujarat. Hence, castor crop can be sown as relay intercrop in groundnut. It may increase crop production and profitability of farmers. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Centre for Oilseeds Research, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar to study the feasibility of castor as relay intercropping in kharif groundnut during 2019–20 to 2021–22. Significantly higher groundnut equivalent yield (4,479 kg/ha) was found with groundnut + castor (4:1) [groundnut (30 cm) + castor (180 cm × 120 cm)] relay inter cropping which was at par with groundnut + castor (3:1) [groundnut (30 cm) + castor (150 cm × 120 cm)].