Evaluation of different indices in measuring the efficiency of the intercropping experiments

Abstract

Abstract : For the assessment of yield advantages in intercropping experiments different indices were suggested, the present study has been taken to find out the best index in measuring the efficiency of intercroping systems. The area-time equivalent ratio (ATER) was found to be superior in measuring the efficiency of the intercropping system than mean of (land-equivalent ratio + area-time equivalent ratio, land-equivalent ratio), relative crowding coefficient or land-equivalent coefficient. It could assess both the area and duration of each crop. It is a mathematically sound as well as biologically logical approach for comparing productivity between two cropping systems or among several. It could assess resource utilization and also able to record not only the agronomic advantage but also the economic advantage in the intercropping system.