<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The present investigation entitled &ldquo;Effect of Different Onion + Palak Intercropping Combinations on Leaf Yield of Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)&rdquo; was carried out at Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during season of 2018-19.&nbsp; 
Methods: The experimental treatments viz., T1-palak (sole) 15 X 5cm, T2-onion + palak (one row) T3- onion + palak (two rows), T4- onion + palak (three rows), T5- onion + palak (broadcasting), were laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Result: Based on the research investigation it was found that Longest length of palak leaf was observed in sole palak crop (16.20, 17.13 and 17.20 cm) at 1st, 2nd and 3rd harvesting respectively, which was significantly higher than other intercropping combinations. Palak sole crop showed maximum petiole length (12.53, 13.27 and 13.86 cm) at every harvest. Within the intercropping system, the maximum petiole length (12.27, 12.78 and 13.28 cm) was observed in treatment onion + palak (one row), which was at par with onion + palak (two rows). The leaf yield ranged from 22.10 q ha-1 at first harvesting in onion + palak (Broadcast) to 47.15 q ha-1 in palak sole crop at third harvesting. The leaf yield significantly varied among various intercropping system at first, second and third harvesting. Palak sole crop produced highest leaf yield at all the harvesting stages.</div>

Effect of Different (Onion + Palak) Intercropping Combinations on Growth and Leaf Yield of Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)

On Farm Testing (OFT) of palak were conducted in Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra during 2012-13. Highest green leaf vegetable yield (18.00.q/ha) was recorded in variety Harit Shobha and All Green in first year with farmers practice. Programme was continued in 2nd year under Front Line Demonstration (FLD). It was observed that Harit Shobha cultivar gave 20.0 q/ha-1 green leaf yields which was higher over All Green and farmers practice. &nbsp;An average yield of two cultivar Harit Shobha and All green was 15.5 q/ ha-1 and 17.7 q ha-1 in OFT and FLD, respectively. &nbsp;The average technology gap, extension gap and technology index of 2.9 q ha-1, 9.5 q ha-1 and 38 per cent and 1.8q ha-1, 7.5qha-1 and 30 per cent during first and second year, respectively. Technology index reduced from 38 to 30 per cent during the study period means technology was accepted by the farmers. As a result, 500 farmers initiated the small scale farming of palak in the district with the technical guidance provided from KVK.

Effect of Different (Onion + Palak) Intercropping Combinations on Growth and Leaf Yield of Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis)

Intoduction of palak (Spinacia oleracea L.) in Ernakulam district of Kerala through front line demonstration and on farm testing