Abstract:
An experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Farm, Sher-e-Bangla
Agricultural University, Dhaka, during the period from November 2004 to February
2005 to investigate the sunflower based intercropping with leafy vegetables. There
were two variety of sunflower viz. Kironi, Sunwheat-103 and four intercrop viz. non
intercrop, Red amaranth, Bengal spinach and Pak-choi. The treatment combinations
were set in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.
Growth and yield parameters were recorded and the cost benefit analysis was
computed to assess the yield potentiality and profitability of sunflower and
intercropping of leafy vegetable. Sunflower variety Had significant effect on plant
height, number of leaves, diameter of the head, seed yield, 1000 seed weight and oil
content. The highest seed yield (961.11 kg/ha) was obtained from variety Kironi.
Intercroppe.d leafy vegetables intercropping had remarkable effect on growth,
flowering and yield. The combinations of variety and intercrop significantly
influenced the plant height, number of leaves, diameter of the head, seed yield and
1000 seed weight. The highest seed yield (1133 kg/ha) was found in the treatment
combination of tall variety sunflower (Y.r) and control intercrop (Io). Highest intercrop
yield (13.69 t/ha) obtained from the dwarf variety and Red amaranth intercrop (VDIL)
treatment combination. Economic analysis showed that tall variety sunflower (Vr)
with Red amaranth intercrop (I1J gave the best economic return (Tk 77539/ha) and
benefit cost ratio of 2.4 5.
