Evaluation of Pigeonpea-based Intercropping System for Growth, Productivity, Economics, Available Nutrient and Nutrient Uptake under Alfisols

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to the evaluation of pigeonpea-based intercropping system for growth, productivity, economics, available nutrient and nutrient uptake under alfisols of Karnataka during Kharif, 2020 at ‘K’ Block, Zonal Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bengaluru. The experiment had 15 treatments which were replicated thrice in Randomised Complete Block Design. Treatments consisted of sole crops pigeonpea and different intercrops mixed along with of intercrops (field bean, vegetable soybean and chia) in different row proportions of (1:2, 1:3 and 1:4).The study aimed to assess the growth, yield and economics of pigeonpea comprising planting geometry and different intercrops. The results indicated that the combined effect of paired-row pigeonpea with field bean at 120/60 cm × 30 cm (1:2) spacing recorded the highest seed yield (1770 kg/ha) and stalk yield (4026 kg/ha). Among planting geometry and intercropping systems, higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio (Rs. 2,60,591 ha-1, Rs. 2,19,030 ha-1 and 6.27 respectively) was recorded in T7 (paired row pigeonpea with vegetable soybean at 120/60 cm). Among planting geometry and intercropping system highest total nutrient uptake of pigeonpea was recorded in T6 (Paired row - 120/60 cm × 30 cm pigeonpea + field bean (1:2), 76.65, 12.20 and 98.36 kg/ha NPK respectively) compared to rest of intercropping treatments. In available nutrients, among planting geometry and intercropping systems highest total available nitrogen and phosphorous was recorded in T14: Sole vegetable soybean (318.62 and 107.20 kg/ha N & P respectively) and higher total available potassium was recorded in T13: Sole field bean (321.40 kg/ha K respectively), compared to other treatments. The study concludes that the paired row pigeonpea with vegetable soybean at 120/60 cm x 30 cm yield and economics of the intercropping systems.