Planting pattern of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in intercropping systems - A review

Abstract

Since per capita availability of land is shrinking day by day and there is little scope for horizontal growth of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and thus vertical growth via intercropping can be a viable alternative to reduce the wide gap between the demand and supply of edible oils. Intercropping is an intensive land use system and a profitable venture especially for the small land holders as it fulfills the diversified demands at the farm level itself. Suitable planting pattern for greater light interception and transmission throughout the crop profile is pre-requisite for getting higher productivity. This paper reviews the information regarding role of planting patterns of oilseed rape on various aspects like growth, yield, competitiveness as well as productivity and profitability of intercropping systems. Different oilseed rape cultivars when intercropped with different crops viz., cereals, legumes, fodders or other oilseed crops prove to be more productive and remunerative as compared to their monoculture at different row proportions or spacings, which also varies with locations.