Growth and Yield of Pulses as Influenced by Intercropping with Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] in the Southern Laterites of Kerala

Abstract

Background: In the recent years, the yield plateau of the major cereals together with the climate change concerns, the potential of millets and pulses have been identified as pivotal for addressing the agrarian and nutritional challenges. The present study was conducted to assess the feasibility of intercropping green gram, black gram and cowpea in finger millet.Methods: A field experiment was conducted during summer 2019-2020 (February to May, 2020) to assess the variation in the growth and yield of pulses, viz., green gram, black gram and cowpea on intercropping with finger millet, along with and without AMF inoculation.Result: Pulses were observed to be significantly taller when intercropped with finger millet in the presence of AMF. Leaf area index (LAI), dry matter production, seed yield and haulm yield were higher for sole crops. Between the intercropping treatments, with and without AMF, LAI, dry matter production and seed yield were superior when pulses where intercropped in finger millet inoculated with AMF. Intercropping finger millet with cowpea recorded the highest finger millet equivalent yield (FMEY) followed by black gram and green gram. The treatment, T6 (finger millet with AMF + cowpea) registered the highest FMEY (3388 kg ha-1) followed by T5 (3234 kg ha-1). Intercropping finger millet (with AMF) with black gram (T4) and green gram (T2) recorded FMEY of 2708 kg ha-1 and 2497 kg ha-1 respectively.