Intercropping, the practice of growing multiple crops together, improves resource efficiency by optimizing sunlight, water, and nutrient use. This approach enhances sustainability by reducing plant competition and fostering mutual benefits, often leading to higher yield. Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth) is an important aromatic crop that thrives in partial shade for growth and development but optimizing its productivity while maintaining or enhancing yield remains challenging. Field trials were carried out in 2022–23 and 2023–24 at CSIR-CIMAP, Research Centre, Bengaluru, to evaluate the biological and economical viability of intercropping systems (patchouli-finger millet, patchouli-cowpea and patchouli-field bean in 1:1 and 1:2 population density ratios and their corresponding sole crop) can improve patchouli productivity and economic viability. The results revealed better performance of patchouli with field bean in co-cultivation (1:2) compared to sole cropping. The combination of patchouli and field bean (1:2) yielded the highest PEY (115.38 L ha⁻¹) attributed to exceptional land utilization efficiency (282.22 %), along with superior land equivalent ratio (1.96), land equivalent coefficient (0.93). Additionally, the ATER stood at 1.73, outperforming other cropping systems. The dominance of finger millet over patchouli is evident from the CR value of 1.25 and A value of 0.2. Economic indices, including RVT (1.16), RNR (1.26), MAI (3260.62 US$), REE (1.94), IA (143.89) cost-benefit ratio (1.86), and net returns (4156 US$), were observed to be highest in the field bean intercropping system, closely followed by cowpea. The findings suggest that intercropping patchouli with field bean or cowpea enhances both biological performance and economic returns which enhancing farmer profits through improved resource utilization efficiency. Intercropping medicinal and aromatic crops with food crops is an effective strategy for promoting sustainable farmer livelihoods and boosting the country's GDP. The global demand for essential oils continues to rise, offering significant economic opportunities for farmers and contributing to sustainable development.

中文翻译：

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广藿香 （Pogostemon cablin （Blanco） Benth） 与粮食作物间作的资源利用效率和系统生产力


间作，即一起种植多种作物的做法，通过优化阳光、水和养分的使用来提高资源效率。这种方法通过减少植物竞争和促进互惠互利来提高可持续性，通常可以提高产量。广藿香 （Pogostemon cablin （Blanco） Benth） 是一种重要的芳香作物，在部分阴凉处生长发育，但在保持或提高产量的同时优化其生产力仍然具有挑战性。2022-23 年和 2023-24 年在班加罗尔研究中心的 CSIR-CIMAP 进行了田间试验，以评估间作系统（广藿香-手指小米、广藿香-豇豆和广藿香-田豆以 1：1 和 1：2 的种群密度比及其相应的唯一作物）的生物和经济可行性可以提高广藿香的生产力和经济可行性。结果显示，与单一种植相比，广藿香与大田豆在共培 （1：2） 中的表现更好。广藿香和田豆的组合 （1：2） 产生了最高的 PEY （115.38 L ^ha-1），这归因于卓越的土地利用效率 （282.22 %），以及优越的土地等效比 （1.96），土地等效系数 （0.93）。此外，ATER 为 1.73，优于其他种植系统。指小米对广藿香的优势从 CR 值 1.25 和 A 值 0.2 中可以明显看出。经济指数，包括 RVT （1.16）、RNR （1.26）、MAI （3260.62 美元）、REE （1.94）、IA （143.89）、成本效益比 （1.86） 和净回报 （4156 美元），在田间豆间作系统中最高，紧随其后的是豇豆。 研究结果表明，广藿香与田间豆或豇豆的间作提高了生物性能和经济回报，从而通过提高资源利用效率来提高农民的利润。药用和芳香作物与粮食作物间作是促进可持续农民生计和提高该国 GDP 的有效策略。全球对精油的需求持续增长，为农民提供了重要的经济机会，并有助于可持续发展。