Evaluation of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) genotypes for intercropping with two types of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

Abstract

SUMMARYEight genotypes of groundnut and two of pigeon pea were evaluated in intercropping at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, during the monsoon and winter seasons in 1985 and 1986, to identify plant characters associated with high yield in intercropping. The pod yield of groundnut decreased when intercropped with pigeon pea, the extent of the decline differing with groundnut and pigeon pea genotypes. The reduction in groundnut pod yield and the degree and duration of shading was less when grown with pigeon pea type ICPL87 than with LRG30. During the monsoon, pod yield among intercropped groundnut genotypes ranged between 47% and 88% of their yields under monocropping because of differences in growth pattern and duration (90–125 days). The groundnut type most suitable for intercropping had early vigour, early maturity and high partitioning and pod growth rate. However, variation in pod yield among groundnut genotypes was not observed during the winter season because they showed less variation in duration and growth and there was less shading by the associated pigeon pea.