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A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm of UBKV during rabi seasons of 2008 and 2009 to assess intercropping effect in okra with an objective to generate more income from the farm through increased cropping intensity and complete and economical use of natural resources by combining nine different treatment combinations of different intercrops like cowpea, amaranthus, radish and palak in 1:1 row ratio. The trial was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with four replications. Experimental results indicated that sole cropping of okra recorded significantly maximum values for most of the vegetative parameters. Sole cropping of okra recorded maximum number of marketable fruits plot-1 (1502.81), maximum fruit weight (17.11 g) and highest yield ha-1 (11.54 t). However, maximum okra equivalent yield ha-1 (15.67 t) was observed in okra+cowpea intercropping system. Minimum value for the same (9.02 t ha-1) was recorded in okra+radish intercropping system. The study revealed that ascorbic acid content of the okra fruit was not significantly affected due to intercropping. Okra+cowpea intercropping system was found best user of biological resources as it recorded maximum values for LER (1.56), RCC (13.75) and lower values of aggressivity (-0.14) and competitive ratio (0.93). Economic analysis also showed that okra+cowpea intercropping system was most remunerative as it recorded highest net return and B:C ratio (` 1,35,891.50 and 2.61, respectively). Based on the findings, growing of cowpea with okra may be adjudged as the best intercrop for sustainable vegetable production.

The present study was done for intercropping in cabbage (Brassica Oleracea L.var.capitata f.) for growth, yield, quality and sustainable soil health under foothills of Eastern Himalayan region. The pooled results revealed that head yield, ascorbic acid content and nutrient uptake from soil varied according to treatments combination. Sole cropping of cabbage recorded maximum values for most of the growth characters like plant height (1.30 cm), shoot weight (59.47 g), root weight (46.36 g), shoot to root ratio (1.30), root length (17.97 cm) and root volume (37.24 cc) and yield (37.11 t ha-1). But as per cabbage equivalent yield (44.39 t ha-1),economics (B:C ratio 2.96) and production efficiency (591.80 kg-1ha-1day) are concerned cabbage and garden pea intercropping system recorded significantly highest values than all other treatments. cabbage and garden pea intercropping system also recorded maximum ascorbic content(38.61mg-1 100g).Highest residual N (174.12 kg ha-1) content was obtained in sole garden pea plots whereas maximum values for available P2O5 (30.31 kg ha-1) and K2O (171.83 kg ha-1) were recorded in sole coriander plots. Cabbage and beet root intercropping system recorded minimum values for most of the growth characters like shoot weight (35.88 g), root weight (26.80 g),root length(10.83 cm), shoot and root volume (23.54 cc),cabbage equivalent yield (32.10 t ha-1) ascorbic content(29.94 mg-1 100g). Inclusion of garden pea in cabbage inter rows may be adopted by cabbage growers of foothills of eastern Himalayan region of West Bengal for additional income and soil enrichment.

Brinjal shoot and fruit bore and leaf hopper is the most destructive and the major limiting factor in quantitative as well as qualitative harvest of brinjal. The objective of the study was to estimate the effect of intercrops on damage potential of major insect pest of brinjal. Field experiments was carried out with 7 treatments [T1 (Sole Brinjal), T2 (Brinjal + Cowpea), T3 (Brinjal + Garlic), T4 (Brinjal + Fenugreek), T5 (Brinjal + Onion), T6 (Brinjal + Coriander), T7 (Brinjal + French bean)] following randomized block design with three replications. The results indicated that major insect-pest attributes were significantly influenced by intercropping system. Significant reduction of fruit and shoot borer and leaf hopper infestations was observed in brinjal + garlic intercropping system. Based on the performance of brinjal under different intercropping combinations, growing of brinjal with french bean was adjudged as the best treatment combination to maximize the growth, yield, quality and least infestation of major insect-pest.