The Combined Influence of Intercropping and Arbuscular Mycorrhizae on Cauliflower Growth and Yield

Abstract

A field study was undertaken during the winter season of 2024–2025 at CRC-3, Turari, Department of Horticulture, ITM University, Gwalior (M.P.), to assess the influence of intercropping and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the performance of cauliflower. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with three replications, comprising eleven treatments: T₁—cauliflower as sole crop without AMF; T₂—cauliflower as sole crop with AMF; T₃—cauliflower (without AMF) + coriander; T₄—cauliflower (with AMF) + coriander; T₅—cauliflower (without AMF) + fenugreek; T₆—cauliflower (with AMF) + fenugreek; T₇—cauliflower (without AMF) + carrot; T₈—cauliflower (with AMF) + carrot; T₉—coriander as sole crop; T₁₀—fenugreek as sole crop; and T₁₁—carrot as sole crop. The results revealed that intercropping systems significantly influenced the growth and yield of cauliflower, and these effects were further enhanced by the application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi at the time of transplanting. Application of AMF at 10 kg ha⁻¹ significantly improved growth and yield attributes of cauliflower. Among the treatments, T₆ (cauliflower + fenugreek with AMF) recorded the highest gross curd weight, net curd weight, yield per plot, and yield per hectare. This treatment also exhibited the highest values of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria population, land equivalent ratio (LER), and monetary advantage index (MAI), indicating the biological and economic superiority of the system.