Agrotechnical and economic assessment of intercropping of caraway (Carum carvi L.)

Abstract

A study was carried out in 2013-2014 on caraway (Carum carvi L.), which is a biennial plant grown alone or together with a spring crop. The aim of the study was an agrotechnical and economic assessment of technologies for intercropping of caraway with selected three species of spring crops. The study showed that the highest caraway fruit yields in the second year were obtained in the variant in which the species was grown together with field pea. The profitability of this variant was increased by area-based subsidies for legumes and reduced outlays for mineral fertilizers. The highest value for pea as a species intercropped with caraway was confirmed by economic indicators such as soil productivity, net farm income, and production profitability. The second most suitable crop for intercropping with caraway was dill. It has similar agrotechnical requirements as caraway, but has the disadvantage of a very late harvest time, which slows the development of the main crop and reduces the yield of caraway the following year. In this variant lower values were obtained for the economic indicators than in the case of caraway grown with pea. The least suitable species for intercropping with caraway proved to be white mustard, whose intensive growth and accompanying high demand for water, nutrients and light substantially limited the development and yield of caraway. Due to the relatively low caraway yield and high cost of mustard cultivation, this variant resulted in the lowest economic indicators.