To feed the ever-increasing population, increase productivity per unit area is one of
the most attractive strategies. Intercropping is considered a promising system for
increasing crop productivity and land-use efficiency. A field study was conducted to
evaluate the effect of different crop combinations of wheat-lentil on the productivity
of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris) and land use efficiency
under two tillage practices in Minjar district during 2015-2017 cropping seasons.
The experiment was carried out using split-plot design with three replications. The
treatments consisted of two tillage practices (conventional and minimum tillage)
assigned as the main plot and five wheat-lentil intercropping combinations (1:0, 1:1,
2:1, 1:2 and 0:1) assigned as the subplot. The tillage practices and intercropping
had significant effect on growth parameters of wheat and lentil. Minimum tillage
increased growth parameters for wheat, but reduced growth parameters for lentil.
The yield of wheat was non-significantly affected by tillage practices, but the yield of
lentil was significantly affected by tillage systems. A higher yield of lentil (1546 kgha-
1) was obtained in conventional tillage as compared to minimum tillage practices.
Intercropping combination had a significant effect on both growth and yield
parameters of both crops. The highest yield of wheat (2932 and 2982 kgha-1) was
recorded in sole wheat (1:0) and 2:1 wheat-lentil combination, while the highest yield of lentil (1575 kgha-1) was obtained in sole lentil (0:1). Among intercropping
combinations, 2:1 wheat-lentil gave the highest LER, ATER, and MAI values.
Therefore, 2:1 wheat-lentil intercropping combinations were found suitable for
higher productivity and production of component crops and the intercropping system
of wheat-lentil in any of the combinations found to be more profitable and productive
compared to sole wheat and lentil.
