Productivity and economics of pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan L.) based intercropping systems as influenced by different planting patterns

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Productivity of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) Based intercropping systems as influenced by different planting patterns” was conducted at Students’ Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, during kharif 2015 and 2016. The soil of the experimental site was loamy sand, normal pH and electrical conductivity, low in organic carbon and available N, medium in available P and K. In the experiment, three intercrops viz. cowpea fodder, maize fodder and groundnut were intercropped with pigeon pea at 50cm × 25cm, 75cm × 18.8cm and 100cm × 12.5cm (1+1) planting patterns and were compared with sole pigeon pea in randomized block design. Different intercrops were also grown as sole in the experiment to calculate the different intercropping indices. The results showed that growth, yield and yield attributes of pigeon pea were not significantly influenced by different intercropping systems and planting patterns. Among the different intercropping systems and planting patterns, pigeon pea (50cm × 25cm) + maize fodder (1+1) was found to be significantly superior as compared to sole pigeon pea and other intercropping systems, because it recorded significantly higher pigeon pea equivalent yield and economic returns.