Response of Fertility dose in Citronella ( Cymbopogon winterianus L.) Intercropping with Mustard (Brassica Juncea)

The present experiment was conducted during rabi season, 2014-15 at students Instructional Farm (SIF), C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur with an object to find out suitable and economical combination of rabi intercrops Cymbopogon The was laid out in completely randomize design with 09 treatment of cropping systems with different combination (sole citronella, sole Mustard, citronella+Mustard (100%RDF), citronella + Mustard (75%RDF), citronella+Mustard (50%RDF) were replicated.

It is clear from the Table 1 & 2 that the soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon and low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and medium in available potassium respectively. Value of pH showed that the experimental field was slightly alkaline in nature. The crops grown in the field affects its productivity and potentialities to a great extent because of difference in the uptake pattern of the nutrients by them. So that before starting the present investigation the cropping history of the experimental field for last five years was carefully examined and has been summarized in Table 3.

Application of fertilizer
After making the individual experiment unit recommended dose of fertilizer as per treatment was supplied through Urea, DAP and MOP. The full dose of P 2 O 5 , K 2 O and half dose of nitrogen was supplied at the time of sowing and remaining dose of nitrogen was applied in split doses. The details are given in Table  4.

Irrigation
The crop was sown or transplanted after pre-sowing irrigation. The details of irrigation are given in Table 5.

Intercultural operation
In order to protect the crop from adverse effects of weeds and to pulverize the soil, the weeding and hoeing operation was performed after first and second irrigation at optimum soil moisture condition of the soil by manual labour with the help of khurpi during the experimentation time. In mustard, to maintain plant spacing thinning is done at 20 DAS to maintain plant to plant distance of 15 cm.

Harvesting and distillation of citronella herbs
The number of harvests, which can be taken during a year depends upon the growth of the plants. The leaves are ready for harvest about 5-6 months after planting, 20cm above the ground level. The second and subsequent harvests can be taken thereafter at 2.5-3.0 months interval. Distillation was done by the process of steam distillation. The distillation equipment consists of a boiler in which steam is produced, a distillation tub for distilling the grass, a condenser and separators.

Observations Recorded During Experiment
In order to determine the effect of different treatments, a number of observation on growth characters, yield contributing characters and yield of crops (Herbs, grain, tubers etc.) oil content through oil distillation, weed population were recorded at different stages of crop growth. Since it was not possible to study the all characters in individual plants, 5 sample plants from main and intercrops of each treatment were selected randomly and tagged for further study. All the observations taken are categorized into the following groups:-

Herbage yield & distillation:
For herbage yield of citronella treatment wise plant was cut with the help of sickles through manual labour from 10cm above the ground level from each net plot. After cutting of herbage bundle were prepared for fresh green yield.
Distillation: For distillation, treatment wise herb was collected in distillation tank and through steam distillation process mixture of oil and water were Collected Ted in separation unit. Oil was separated from the separater unit and amount of oil was calculate in liter/ha.

Mustard
All the observations taken during experimental period are as follows: Plant Population/m 2 : The plant population of each treatment was recorded twice before thinning and at harvesting stage. For this purpose, one meter scale was placed randomly in 2 places in each plot before thinning and at harvesting stage. In marked places, plants were counted for both initial and final plant population. The total sum of plant was divided by 2 to get number of plant/m 2 was recorded. Biological yield: After harvesting, the weight of total biomass from each net plot was recorded and after sun drying for five days, the biological yield was converted in to quintals per hectare by multiplying the factor.
Grain yield: After threshing, winnowing and cleaning the grain yield of each net plot was weighed. The values were converted in to quintals per hectare, by multiplying the factor.

Crop Equivalent Yield (CEY)
Crop equivalent yield was calculated by following formula Inter crop yield (kgha -1 ) x Price of (Rs kg) CEY= Price of main crop (Rs kg -1 )

Land Equivalent Ratio (LER)
Land equivalent ratio is the relative land area under sole crops i.e. required to produce the yield achieved in inter cropping. In the present experiment the LER was estimated by following formula/equations.

Benefit: cost ratio
Benefit cost ratio was calculated by the following formula.

Net return
Benefit cost ratio=Cost of cultivation

Experimental findings
The present experiment entitled "Response of fertility levels in Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus L.) Intercropping with Mustard (Brassica juncea)" has been arranged under the following appropriate heads: a.
To find out most suitable fertility dose for intercrops. b.
To find out the best economic combination of intercropping. c.
To asses economics of different fertility levels.   Data recorded regarding soil health, chemical analysis of soil was done treatment wise and presented in Table 6. It is clear from that among sole treatment highest soil organic carbon and available nitrogen is found in sole potato followed by mustard sole treatment. In intercropping combination highest organic carbon and available Nitrogen found in C+M (100%RDF) followed by C: P (50% RDF) treatment. The lowest organic carbon and available nitrogen was found in sole citronella treatment.

Response of treatment combination on soil health
The available phosphorus (P 2 O 5 ) was highest in Citronella+Mustard intercropping system with 100% followed by 75% RDF fertility level is 18.40kg/ha Among the sole treatments the lowest availability as phosphorus was found in citronella sole i.e. 17.35kg/ha. The highest available potash (179kg -1 ) was found in citronella sole ie. 179kg/ha and among the intercropping treatments, the highest avalibility was found in C+M 100% RDF (178.90kg/ ha) followed by 75% RDF (178.00kg/ha). The data related to pH value, indicated that the pH value is lowest in citronella sole treatment. The trend of E.C. was constant in most of the treatments.

Main crop of citronella Growth parameter
Data recorded regarding number of plant/plot and number of tillers/plant at the time of cutting are presented in Table 7 and illustrated through Figure 1.  Data presented in Table 7 showed that the significantly highest numbers of tillers/plant (64.00) were recorded in the Citronella sole treatment. Among the intercropping treatment significantly C+M 100% RDF (59.12) gave the maximum number of tiller and the minimum number of tillers 53.07 was found in C+M (50%RDF). The highest number of plant/plot found in citronella sole which was significantly effect the plant population of intercrop citronella.  Data recorded before thinning and after thinning for plant population were analyzed and presented in Table 9 and illustrated by Figure 2. The plant population recorded before thinning and after thinning has showed significant differences among the treatments. Numerically the highest plant population before thinning (22m 2 ) and after thinning (18.5/m 2 ) was recorded in sole Mustard and the lowest plant population recorded in before thinning (20.50m -2 ) and after thinning (15.50m -2 ) in C+M treatment with 50% RDF.   Growth parameter: Data regarding plant height was recorded at 60 and 120 DAS of crop were analyzed and presented in Table 10 and also illustrated by Figure 3. Data showed that significantly highest plant height recorded at 60 and 120 DAS (97.05 cm. and 129.60 cm.) in mustard sole plot followed by C+M 100% RDF (93.20 cm. and 126.60 cm.) respectively. The lowest plant height (90.10 cm.) was recorded in C+M of the 50% RDF at 120 DAS was the lowest plant height was recorded in C+M 50% RDF (120.75 cm.) respectively. Data regarding number of branches and silique per plant were recorded, analyzed and presented in Table 11 and illustrated by Figure 4.  Data showed that the significantly highest number of branches (8.97) and silique per plant (533.75) has been recorded in mustard sole plant with 100% RDF followed by C+M with 100% RDF (7.27 and 518.0) respectively. The lowest branches and silique/plant, (6.10) and (471.25) recorded in C: M (50%RDF) plot, respectively.

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Yield and harvest index: Data regarding biological yield (qha -1 ), grain yield (qha -1 ) and harvest index (%) were recorded, analyzed and presented in Table 12 and also illustrated through Figure 5. Data regarding biological yield, grain yield and harvest index indicated the significantly differences among the treatments. The highest biological yield (163.58q/ha) and grain yield (24.90q/ ha) were recorded in C: M (100%RDF) which was significantly superior over all treatments followed by mustard sole and C+M 75% RDF. The lowest biological yield (117.75q/ha) and grain yield (20.83q/ha) was recorded in C+M with 50 % RDF treatments Figure 6.

Yield of citronella herbs and citronella equivalent yield
The data pertaining to original yield of Citronella and Mustard to given in Table 13. Data on Citronella equivalent oil yield (kg/ha) as influenced by cropping systems have been summarized in Table 14.
Results indicate that different cropping systems were found to exhibit significantly variations in Citronella equivalent oil yield. The significantly highest Citronella equivalent oil yield was found in citronella sole, in inter cropping system C: P 100% RDF, C: P 75%RDF respectively. In citronella mustard intercropping system highest equivalent yield found in C: M 100% RDF followed by C: M 75% RDF respectively.

Economic analysis
The economics of different fertilizer ratio treatments of sole crop and intercropping C: M (100%RDF), (75%RDF) and (50% RDF) in rabi season was worked out in the form of cost of cultivation. Gross return, net profit and benefit cost ratio and LER. Were represented in Table 14.

Gross income
The data computed regarding gross income showed that the highest gross income was found in Citronella sole (Rs.1,02,000) followed by C+M intercropping system the highest gross income was found in 100% RDF (Rs.75945) followed by 75% RDF (Rs.69601). The lowest gross income was found in mustard sole (Rs.59841).

Net Income:
The data pertaining to net income rupees per hectare received under different treatments were summarized in Table 14. It is clear from table that the highest net income was obtained in sole citronella system in compression to other treatments. In intercropping treatment the highest and lowest net income was obtained in C+M100% RDF (Rs.55252.92) and mustard sole (39952.82).

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Land Equivalent Ratio (LER): Land equivalent ratio is the relative land area under sole crops i.e. required to produce the yield achieved in inter cropping.

Summary and Conclusion
The present experiment entitled "Response of fertility levels in citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus L.) Intercropping with Mustard (Brassica juncea)"was conducted during rabi season 2014-15 at students Instructional Farm (SIF), C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur with an object to find out optimum dose of intercropping and economical fertility levels of rabi intercrops with citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus L.).The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with 09 cropping systems treatments with different combination [sole citronella, sole mustard, citronella+mustard (100%RDF), citronella+mustard (75%RDF), citronella+mustard (50%RDF) each replicated 4 time. Sole treatment with 100%RDF treated as control.
The soil of experimental field was slightly alkaline with 8.09pH and 0.21 EC. The soil is low in organic carbon and low in available nitrogen (260 kg/ha), medium in available phosphorus (17.55 kg/ha) and medium in potash (175 kg/ha). The citronella crop (cv. Bio-13) was transplanted in 30 July, 2010 at 60 x 60 cm. The rabi crop Mustard (cv. Urvasi) was sown 19 October 2014 at 40 x 20 cm. The intercrops during rabi season were also sown along with citronella as per treatment to maintain the row ratio of 2:2. The citronella herbs were harvested during the experimental period on 17 December 2014, respectively. After harvesting of citronella herbs, distillation was done for oil extraction. The observation taken at appropriate time and data was statistically analyzed and interpreted.

Effect on soil Health
Organic matter highest in mustard sole treatment, the available phosphorus (P2O5) was highest in citronella + mustard (100% RDF) followed by C+M (75% RDF) and mustard sole, respectively. The availability of potash was decreased year by year but the highest potash was found in citronella sole followed by C+M 100% RDF in the year 2014-15. pH value in sole citronella and intercropping of citronella with mustard under different fertility levels decreases yearly, slowly.

Effect on sole crops
Citronella sole cropping with 100% RDF was found to be better than citronella intercropping system with mustard in same proportions in respect to the growth, yield attributes herbage and oil yields of citronella.
In mustard cropping system, C+M (100% RDF) intercropping system was found to be better in respect of yield parameters (Biological and grain yield) over all mustard based treatment.
Citronella oil Equivalent Yield (CEY) was significantly higher in sole stand of citronella over sole stand of mustard, as well as their intercropping system with citronella.
Citronella sole cropping resulted in higher B: C ratio and net returns over sole Mustard as well as their intercropping system in various fertility combinations.
The lowest weed population was found at harvest stage. The maximum weed density was recorded at pre-sowing stage as compared to later stages. Highest weed population of different weed flora were found motha in citronella sole followed by mustard sole stand treatment.

Effect on rabi intercrops
Among the different fertilizer ratio of citronella Mustard , highest Leaf length at cutting and number of tillers of citronella was found in citronella sole treatment followed by C+M (100% RDF).There are significant differences among the intercropping treatments significantly highest herbage yield of citronella was found in citronella sole treatment followed by C:M 100% RDF.
Plant height recorded at 60 and 120 DAS stage and number of branches/plant at Pod filling stage was significantly highest in mustard sole followed by C+M 100%, 75% and 50% RDF treatment. Among the other treatment combination of mustard basis highest plant height recorded in mustard sole followed by C+M 100%, 75% and 50% RDF treatment. Regarding the yield attributing character like number of silique highest in mustard sole followed by C+M 100%, 75% and 50% RDF treatment.
Among the intercropping treatments of C+M significantly the highest biological yield and grain yield of mustard was recorded in citronella: mustard 100% RDF followed by 75% RDF, respectably.

Effect of Land Equivalent Ratio (LER)
Higher LER in intercropping systems indicated yield advantage over mono-cropping due to better land utilization.

Performance of citronella
The cropping systems significantly affected the growth attributes (plant population/ plots, Leaf length (cm) and number of tillers/plants) at the cutting time. The higher growth performance in sole crop as compared to intercropping system has also been observed by Ansari [1]. It is also clear from the result that next to Citronella sole, C+M (100%RDF) treatment was also recorded significantly superior in the characters like Leaf length (cm) at the cutting time. The intercrop was affected due to the presence of inter and intra-specific competition between main crop and the intercrop (Mustard) for growth resources such as nutrients, moisture and solar radiation due to

Performance of mustard
The final plant population recorded at harvest stage significantly highest in C+M (100% RDF) stand of Mustard followed by 75% and 50%RDF Citronella+Mustard intercropping system. Growth parameters of mustard were significantly influenced due to various combinations of cropping systems. The plant height at 60 DAS and 120 DAS recorded significantly higher values in Mustard sole compared to all other intercropping combination. In intercropping system highest height recorded in C:M (100% RDF) followed by 75 % and 50% RDF treatment. This might be due to presence of competition between main crop and the intercrop for growth resources such as nutrients, moisture and solar radiation because of exhaustive nature of main as well as intercrops. Number of branches and silique were significantly higher in sole stand of mustard than intercropping system. This could be attributed due to the conditions of plant growth and development for mustard in sole cropping as compared to intercropping system, as also evident in growth attributes. This might be due to that changes in planting system could cause variation in grain and Stover yield of mustard at different level of plant geometry and planting pattern. Finally higher growth and yield attributing characters lead to greater grain and Stover yield. Similar results also reported by Verma et al. 2014 [2][3][4][5][6][7][8].

System productivity and economics
Intercropping systems showed improvement in Citronella Equivalent Oil Yield (CEOY), net returns and B:C ratio. The result indicates that different cropping system was found to exhibit significantly variations for Citronella equivalent oil yield, economics and increasing in soil organic matter and increase in nitrogen level in combination of citronella+mustard intercropping system. The Citronella sole cropping system gave significantly the highest Citronella equivalent oil yield, net returns and B: C ratio followed by citronella+mustard (100%RDF), Citronella+mustard (75%RDF) and Citronella+mustard (50%RDF) intercropping system. It might be due to less effect of competition in citronella sole stand, which reduces inter-specific competition than intercrops. The maximum among intercropping system citronella+mustard (100% RDF) recorded significantly higher citronella equivalent oil yield as compared to either of the intercropping system. It was due to similar citronella oil yield under intercropping system as that of its sole stand. The results are in accordance with the findings of Datta Jayanta Kumar.

Conclusion
On the basis of experimental result conducted during rabi season (2014-15) at Student Instructional Farm of C.S.A.U.A&T., Kanpur under irrigated condition following conclusion can be done.
Cultivation of citronella sole crop was superior over sole Mustard as well as their intercropping system adopting in different fertilizer dose. In relation to growth, yield contributing characters and yield of citronella, sole cropping system gave significantly the highest citronella equivalent oil yield than other sole copping system.
Inter cropping effect with plant growth and soil health. Combination with citronella+Mustard intercropping system with 100% fertility level is better than all other suitable combination intercropping system, respectively.
From economic point of view the highest net return (Rs.83660.00) was found in sole citronella system. But among the intercropping system, intercropping of C+M with 100%RDF is the next highest benefit treatment ( Rs.55252.92) followed by C+M 75% RDF(Rs.49774.05), and C+M 50% RDF (Rs.44377.18) respectively.