Weed control studies in pearlmillet (Pennisetum g1aucum)- pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) intercropping system under rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during rainy (kharif) season of 1997 and 1998 to assess the production potential of intercropping of pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz] with pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] in relation to various measures of weed control. Treatments consisted of 3 intercropping systems (sole pearlmillet, sole pigeonpea and pearlmillet+ pigeonpea) and 4 methods of weed control (control hand-weeding twice, fluchloralin @ 1.0 kg/ha and pendimethalin@ 1.0 kglha). lntercropping did not influence the population and dry-matter accumulation by weeds. Grain yield of pearlmillet did not vary significantly due to various methods of cropping. However, sole pigeonpea gave significantly higher yield than pearlmillet + pigeonpea intercropping. Highest total productivity in terms of pearlmillet equivalent was recorded with pearlmillet + pigeonpea intercropping system. Weeding caused significant reduction in weed infestation and improvement in grain yield of pearlmillet and pigeonpea and total productivity compared with the control. Best results were achieved with hand-weeding twice closely followed by fluchloralin @ 1.0 kgha.