Evaluation of pigeon-pea based intercropping systems under irrigated conditions in coastal Odisha

Abstract

The field experiment conducted for over two years (2016-17 and 2017-18) at the Centre for Pulses Research (OUAT), Berhampur-761001, under irrigated rabi conditions in coastal Odisha testing six intercropping combinations of pigeon pea (cv. manak) with three vegetables (yam bean (safed hyb. sakalu), french bean (falguni latika) and cowpea (kashi kanchan) in two proportions ( 1:1 ; 2:2 ) and 4 sole crops revealed that intercropping combinations recorded higher pigeon pea seed equivalent yield than the respective sole crops. Performance of paired row sowing was found superior with 38.24 g ha-1 of pigeon pea seed equivalent yield than with single row intercropping (32.71 q ha-1). Among the three intercrops, the french bean system was found most remunerative with 41.13 q ha-1 pigeon pea seed equivalent yield followed by yam bean (37.84 q ha-1), but superior to cowpea systems (27.46 q ha-1). Maximum pigeon pea seed equivalent yield (44.09 q ha-1), net return (Rs. 2,31,473/-) and B:C ratio (3.99) were recorded with pigeon pea: french bean =2:2 proportion. This system also registered maximum land equivalent ratio (1.62), monetary advantage index (Rs. 74,176 ha-1) and system relative crowding coefficient (9.86). Aggressivity and competition ratio indicated that french bean and cowpea were dominant on pigeon pea .