Impact of red gram variety WRGe-97 under Front-line Demonstration (FLD’s) of Soyabean + Redgram intercropping under rain-fed situation in Sangareddy district

Abstract

This study was conducted under Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) during 2022-23 and 2023-24 in Sangareddy district to enhance yield, reduce risk, and minimize pest and disease incidence through intercropping systems. The demonstration focused on comparing two varieties of red gram, WRGe-97 and a local variety. WRGe-97 exhibited significantly higher yields, with 8.8 qt/ha in 2022-23 and 9 qt/ha in 2023-24, outperforming the local variety, which recorded 6.5 qt/ha and 6.9 qt/ha, respectively. The average yield increase for WRGe-97 over the local variety was 30%. The plant height for WRGe-97 in the demonstration fields also exceeded the local variety, with average heights of 178.5 cm. The intercropping of WRGe-97 with soybean yielded higher combined returns, with a net income of Rs. 75,802 and Rs. 85,976 per hectare for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively, compared to Rs. 57,758 and Rs. 71,854 for the local variety. The results confirm the effectiveness of WRGe-97 as a superior intercrop with soybean, supporting the scalability of this system by District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre, Sangareddy.