Intercropped Sorghum Research Articles

Production Potential and Economic Feasibility of Planting Pattern and Nutrient Management in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) Based Intercropping System under Rainfed Condition

Background: Pigeonpea grown as sole crop is not economically viable because of its slow initial growth rate, low productivity and longer duration. The initial slow growth rate, widely spaced, deep root system and longer duration of pigeonpea offers a good scope for intercropping with fast growing and early maturing compatible crops. Proper row arrangement of main as well as intercrops in appropriate proportion is the promising way to exploit the natural resources such as space, nutrient, sunlight, soil moisture to greater extent and boost up the system productivity.Methods: The study was carried out for four consecutive years during kharif 2013-14 to 2016-17 at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar. The treatment comprised 3 intercropping systems with two method of planting viz, pigeonpea (60 cm)+ urdbean (1:1), pigeonpea (60 cm) + sesame (1:1), pigeonpea (60 cm) + sorghum (1:1), pigeonpea paired (45 cm) + urdbean (2:2), pigeonpea paired (45 cm) + sesame (2:2), pigeonpea paired (45 cm) + sorghum (2:2) and 3 fertilizer levels of intercrop viz, 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 100% RDF and 125% RDF along with sole crop of pigeonpea, urdbean, sesame and sorghum. Result: Intercropping of urd bean [Vignamungo (L.) Hepper], sesame (sesamumindicum (L.) and sorghum (sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] paired row planting of pigeonpea (45 cm) in 2:2 row ratio recorded significantly higher pigeonpea – equivalent yield, LER, water-use efficiency, production efficiency and net return than their intercropping with pigeonpea in normal planting pattern (60 cm) in 1:1 row ratio and sole pigeonpea. However, only pigeonpea + urdbean and pigeonpea + sesame in paired row planting recorded significantly higher B:C ratio than sole pigeonpea. Pigeonpea + urdbean in paired row planting recorded significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (3.57 t/ha), LER (1.81), water-use efficiency (4.96 kg ha/mm), production efficiency (12.01 kg/ha/day), NPK-uptake by pigeonpea, net return (148.63 x 103 ¹ /ha) and B:C ratio (4.84) than their intercropping in normal planting pattern, pigeonpea + sesame and pigeonpea + sorghum in both planting pattern. Pigeonpea + urdbean and pigeonpea + sesame in paired row recorded significantly higher number and dry weight of nodules/plant than sole pigeonpea. Pigeonpea equivalent yield in pigeonpea + urdbean intercropping system did not increased significantly with increasing levels of fertilizer. However, it increased significantly upto RDF and 125% RDF of sesame and sorghum in pigeonpea + sesame and pigeonpea + sorghum intercropping systems respectively in both the planting pattern. Pigeonpea + urdbean in both the planting pattern reduced bulk density of the soil and increased organic carbon, available N,P,K content of the soil than other intercropping systems and initial soil value but magnitude of improvement in physico-chemical properties of soil was higher in paired row planting.

Intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass in a crop-livestock integration system for pasture recovery

Intercropping systems have become an interesting alternative for grain and forage production because they are sustainable systems that reduce carbon emissions in degraded pasture areas. However, few studies have used forage species recently introduced into the market, and more studies that assess the performances of these species in integrated systems are needed. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of intercropped sorghum and Paiaguas palisadegrass (including the species name) in a crop-livestock integration system for pasture recovery. The field experiment was conducted in the municipality of Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil, using a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of the following forage systems: monocropping of sorghum, monocropping of Paiaguas palisadegrass, row intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass, interrow intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass and intercropping of sorghum with oversown Paiaguas palisadegrass. To obtain a desired population of 240,000 plants ha-1, 12 seeds of sorghum and 5 kg of viable pure seeds of the forage species were planted per meter and hectare, respectively. The growth of Paiaguas palisadegrass in the same row as sorghum reduced the sorghum grain yield. The intercropping of sorghum with oversown Paiaguas palisadegrass hindered the initial development of Paiaguas palisadegrass in terms of plant height and number of tillers due to shading, and this effect was reflected in the dry mass production. Row and interrow intercropping provided higher dry mass production without affecting the forage quality. Therefore, the interrow intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass was found to be a promising agricultural technique for grain and forage production that could be used for the establishment of new pastures or pasture recovery.

N2 O Emissions from Tea Plantations with Sorghum Intercropping and Application of Big Urea Pills

A large amount of fertilizers are applied to the tea plantations resulting in high nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The area of Chinese tea plantations has been expanding in recent years, making them an important source of agricultural N2O emissions. There is an urgent need for effective mitigation measures for N2O emissions from tea plantations. In this study, the N2O emission flux and related environmental factors are measured in Chinese mid-subtropical typical hilly tea plantation under three kinds of management measures, namely intercropping sorghum, applying big urea pills, and under conventional fertilization conditions. The aim of this experiment is to determine the main factors controlling N2O emissions from the soils of the tea plantation and confirm the true effectiveness of the proposed N2O emission mitigation measures. The results of a 2-year field experiment show that:① N2O emissions were significantly correlated with soil chemical properties, temperature and rainfall, interaction between soil physical and chemical properties; soil chemical properties have the greatest impact on soil N2O emissions. The concentration of soil NO3--N is the most important factor determining the size of N2O flux in the tea plantation. The most important task of N2O emission mitigation research in the tea plantation is to reduce the concentration of soil NO3--N; ② sorghum intercropping reduces N2O emissions by 51.2% while not affecting the tea yield. From the perspective of mitigating global warming, sorghum intercropping is the best tea plantation management measure per the results of this study; ③ applying big urea pills effectively increases tea yield while simultaneously reducing the N2O emissions by 34.7%. From the perspective of balancing economic benefits as well as mitigating global warming, application of big urea pills is undoubtedly the best tea plantation management measure as indicated by this study.

Effect of density between intercropped sorghum and stylosanthes on biomass production and quality under varying NPK fertilizer application rates

This field study was conducted to investigate the effect of spaced-row pattern and NPK fertilizer rates on productivity and quality of intercropped sorghum and Stylosanthes guianensis. Three spaced-row pattern (S1 = 90 × 20 cm, S2 = 75 × 25 cm, and S3 = 60 × 30 cm, respectively) and NPK fertilizer application rates (N1 = 0 without NPK, N2 = 100 kg/ha, N3 = 200 kg/ha, respectively) were investigated under two local sorghum varieties (V1 = var. Kawali and V2 = var. Super-2) in a 2 × 3 × 3 split–split-plot design. Intercropped sorghum × stylosanthes in S3 resulted in higher dry matter (DM) content and biomass production than that in S1. NPK fertilization significantly increased DM and organic matter (OM) production by 16.2–115.0% and 16.1–115.2%, respectively, compared to those without NPK fertilization. Interaction effects of V × NPK and V × S × NPK were detected that contributing to the increase in biomass and nutrient quality of the forages. In vitro DM and OM digestibility rates for V1-S were higher than at V2-S. In conclusion, V2 produced a higher biomass, whereas V1 was superior in terms of nutrient quality. Spaced-row at 60 × 30 cm and 100 kg/ha of NPK were efficient in improving the productivity and nutrient quality of sorghum and stylosanthes.

Evaluation of the effect of sorghum-legume intercropping and its residual effect on yield of sorghum in yeki woreda, sheka zone, Ethiopia

The imbalance between the crop production and population growth is currently the major issue in southern Ethiopia. To feed the growing population, increasing the production of food through growing more crop types in the same field as an intercropping is the right strategy. The current study was aimed at evaluating the effect of sorghum-legume intercropping and its residual effect on yield of sorghum. The land equivalent ratio was calculated for sorghum intercropped with pigeon pea and cowpea. Intercropping sorghum with pigeon pea and cowpea increases the land productivity as its Land Equivalent Ratio is greater than 1. In both cases, the land equivalent ratio is greater than 1 indicating the benefits of intercropping. The residual effect of sorghum intercrop with legumes was evaluated on the yield of sorghum. Although there was no statistically significance differences on yield and yield component of sorghum, sorghum planted on the plot of pigeon pea and cowpea sole has 44.6% and 27.8% yield advantage relative to sorghum alone respectively. Planting sorghum under sorghum-cowpea intercropped condition increase the yield of sorghum by 41.8%. The result also shows 74.0% sorghum yield change was observed when planted after intercropped condition of sorghum with pigeon pea. The productivity of sorghum also increases when planted on the plot of sole legume. The current finding in general shows that legume crops contributed to the yield of sorghum either intercropped with legume or grown up using residual contribution of legumes after a year. Therefore, for maximum sorghum production farmers in the area should plant either as intercrop or after residual effect of legumes.
 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 9(2): 62-66, December 2019

Production and quality of the silage of sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in different forage systems and at different maturity stages

As part of the search for sustainability in production systems, systems of annual crops intercropped with tropical forage plants have recently been used for silage production. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to evaluate the dry matter yield, fermentative parameters and nutritional value of the silage of sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in different forage systems and maturity stages in a crop-livestock integration system. The experiment was conducted at the Goiano Federal Institute (Instituto Federal Goiano), Rio Verde Campus, Goiás, Brazil, in a completely randomised design with four replications in a 5 × 3 factorial arrangement with five forage systems (monocropped sorghum, monocropped Paiaguas palisadegrass, sorghum row intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass, sorghum inter-row intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass and sorghum oversown and intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass) and three maturity stages of the sorghum (milky, soft dough and hard dough). The results show that for all sowing methods, the silages of the intercropping systems harvested in the hard-dough stage provide a higher yield per area than did the monocropped sorghum and Paiaguas palisadegrass. The intercropping of sorghum with Paiaguas palisadegrass in crop-livestock integration systems could become an important option for the production of silage because intercropping minimises the inconveniences resulting from the fermentation process of the silage of monocropped grasses and improves the quality of the silage. These findings show this intercropping method to be advantageous strategy for the production of supplemental roughage in addition to contributing to the formation of pasture after the crops have been harvested for ensiling.

Productivity and economic evaluation of Willow (Salix alba L.) based silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley

Performance of two fodder crops namely, sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated with Willow (Salix alba L.) to evaluate productivity and economics of the silvopastoral agroforestry system in Kashmir valley. The experiment was laid out by planting two year old willows at 2.0m × 2.0m spacing and dividing the main plot into sub-plots of size 8m × 2m each with 5 replications in randomized block design (RDB). The intercrops of sorghum and maize were maintained at 20cm × 10 cm spacing and supplied with recommended doses of fertilizers. The economics of the willow plantation intercropped with fodder crops was compared with sole willow farming by the benefit-cost ratio and net present worth. The study revealed the differential behaviour of Salix alba regarding growth parameters (height, diameter and girth) by different intercrops and various fodder intercrops with respect to yield, above ground biomass, dry matter production and soil nutrient status (pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium). The willow based silvopastoral system was estimated to have benefit-cost ratio of 2.71 with maize and 2.68 with sorghum, while as sole crop the willows accrued a benefit-cost ratio of 2.66. The study is useful in discovering growth of willows, productivity of fodder crops and soil nutrient status under various silvopastoral agroforestry systems for maximizing economic gains. The findings envisaged evidences in favour of adopting willow based silvopastoral agroforestry instead of sole tree farming and the knowledge of interactions will be helpful in proper management of the system for sustained multiple productions.

Insect diversity and population dynamics of natural enemies under sorghum–legume intercrops

The effect of intercropping sorghum with legumes on insect diversity and population dynamics of natural enemies was evaluated in the 2015/2016 cropping season at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Sebele, Gaborone. Sorghum monocrop, Sorghum bicolar (L) Moench, was intercropped with four commonly grown legumes, namely cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.; groundnut, Arachis hypogea L.; Bambara groundnut, Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc; and chickpea, Cicer arietinum L. The study showed that intercropping significantly increased insect abundance, from 176.50 individuals on the monocrop to 438 individuals when sorghum was intercropped with cowpea being the highest among the intercrops. Similarly, species diversity significantly increased from 0.24 on monocrop to 0.54 when sorghum was intercropped with cowpea. There were more herbivores than predators, and the predominant insect herbivore found infesting sorghum was Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (n = 2495), followed by Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (n = 650). There was a significant difference in the level of parasitism between monocrop and intercrop systems. There were significantly more stemborer parasitoids found in the intercrops, ranging from 1 to 5%, compared to sorghum monocrop where no parasitism was observed. Predatory coccinellid density was not significantly influenced by intercropping but was by time of sampling. The results add to the body of knowledge indicating that intercropping significantly increases insect diversity and reduces the pressure of herbivores on crops in agroecosystems. Intercropping sorghum with legumes increased the number of biological control agents and reduced herbivore populations, and therefore can be recommended as a component of integrated pest management.

Assessing yield and feed quality of intercropped sorghum and soybean in different planting patterns and in different ecologies

This research was conducted in order to determine the effects of different intercropping patterns of sorghum with soybean on agronomic characters and forage yield in Bilecik and Kahramanmaras Turkey, in 2015 growing season. Experiments were planned as containing three intercropping patterns in alternate rows and pure stands for individual crops with three replications at two locations. As a result of the study, sorghum was determined as clearly dominant crop in producing high yield. Therefore, decreasing sorghum plant seeding rate in mixture caused a decrease in total yield. But soybean presence in forage induced a significant increase in protein content of forage. As a result, the land equivalent ratio with intercrops was higher as compared to pure plants, especially in intercropping systems in which sorghum plant density was not reduced more than 66% of sole sorghum.

Sorghum radiation use efficiency and biomass partitioning in intercrop systems

The objective of intercropping is to improve resource efficiencies for land, water and radiation. Few studies have focused on the interactive effects of water stress on radiation use efficiency (RUE) in an intercrop system. The study determines the effect of intercropping sorghum with either cowpea or bottle gourd on RUE and biomass accumulation in response to water stress. This was assessed using a split-plot design with crop sequences sole sorghum, sole cowpea, and sole bottle gourd and intercrop systems sorghum–cowpea and sorghum–bottle gourd assigned as sub-plots arranged in randomised complete blocks within main plots, water regimes: full irrigation, deficit irrigation and rainfed. We quantified specific leaf area, leaf area index as well as biomass accumulation and partitioning. Extinction coefficient, intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (IPAR) and RUE for biomass (RUEb) and grain (RUEg) were also determined. Under rainfed conditions, intercropping with either cowpea (26%) or bottle gourd (62%) improved sorghum leaf area. A reduction in specific leaf area was observed for sorghum when it was intercropped with either cowpea (−20%) or bottle gourd (−19%). Under full irrigation, sorghum stems constituted a larger proportion (62%) of final biomass in comparison to sorghum under deficit irrigation (52%) and rainfed conditions (50%). Intercropping sorghum with either cowpea or bottle gourd improved IPAR (38%), RUEb (93%) and RUEg (11%) under rainfed conditions. This study showed that under water-limited conditions intercropping reduced sorghum stem mass and increased canopy size, radiation interception, and grain yield and improved RUE. In agreement with our proposition, water availability was closely associated with radiation use efficiency. Intercropping can be recommended for semi-arid environments since it improves RUE and sorghum biomass and grain yield.

Effect of Soil Amendments and Land Use Systems on Surface Cracks, Soil Properties and Crop Yield in a Vertisol

Soil cracks can enhance water recharge through preferential flow during the rainy season and enhanced evaporation loss during the post-rainy season. Despite their significance, a limited information is available on the management of surface cracks in Vertisols. The frequency, size, and rate of development of cracks greatly affect the movement of soil water and nutrient and exchange of gases in the soil profile and also influence plant growth processes in Vertisols. To find out the suitable soil amendments and land use for reducing the rate of crack formation in medium-deep black soils of the region, a 4-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different soil amendments and land uses on surface cracks, soil properties and crop yields on Vertisols under semiarid conditions. Field experiment consisted of three different land uses [i.e., agriculture [intercropping of sorghum (Sorghum biocolor L.) + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) at 1:1 ratio], grassland (dhaman grass—Cenchrus ciliaris L.), fallow land (no cultivation fallow)] as main plots with four different soil amendments [i.e., S0—control, S1—fly ash @ 10 Mg ha−1, S2—crop residue (wheat straw) @ 5 Mg ha−1, S3—gypsum (100% of gypsum requirement), S4—FYM @ 5 Mg ha−1] as subplots. The data showed that application of soil amendments had a beneficial effect on soil properties such soil pH, available nutrients, labile C and total organic carbon and stocks. In the 0–15-cm layer, SOC stocks varied from 15.17 to 20.04; 16.13–20.67; 14.25–19.58 Mg ha−1 for agriculture, grassland and fallow land, respectively. The labile C and total organic carbon contents were in the order of grassland > agriculture > fallow land. Further, soil under grassland system recorded the higher mean weight diameter than that under crop and fallow land. Among different soil amendments applied, wheat straw and FYM had a significant effect (P agriculture (− 7 to − 18%) > fallow land (− 2 to − 23%). Wheat straw application registered the lowest crack volume followed by that under FYM, fly ash and gypsum, regardless of the land use systems. Crop and grass biomass yields were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the application of soil amendments. Application soil amendments not only reduced crack volume but also favorably influenced soil properties and crop yields in Vertisols.

Intercropping forage sorghum with maize is a promising alternative to maize silage for biogas production

Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) silage is the preferred feedstock choice for biogas production. However, other feedstocks or mixed feedstocks might have lower environmental impact than silage maize. The objectives of this study included: 1) to determine if forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and forage sorghum-maize intercropping can be a viable option to replace maize in forage and biogas production, and 2) to assess the environmental impact of systems involving maize and forage sorghum intercropping and comparing the impact of those, with conventional monocrop rotations. Replicated experiments were conducted in Carrington, Fargo, and Prosper, ND, in 2013 and in Fargo, ND in 2014. Maize for silage and grain and two forage sorghum cultivars (Brown Mid Rib (BMR) and non-BMR) were grown in monoculture and in intercropping. Treatments were a total of twelve; four monocultures, four inter-row intercropped maize-sorghum, and four within-row intercropped maize-sorghum. Results across environments indicated non-BMR forage sorghum monocultures produced similar or higher biomass yield compared with maize monocultures and maize-forage sorghum mixed cultures (inter-row and within-row). Biogas yield and forage quality produced by forage sorghum monocultures, and mixtures containing forage sorghum were similar to that of maize. Thus, forage sorghum can replace, at least in part, silage maize as feedstock for feed or biogas. Forage sorghum and forage sorghum-maize intercropping had lower environmental impact compared with maize in all categories evaluated. In conclusion, intercropping of forage sorghum with maize is a promising alternative to maize silage for forage or as feedstock for biogas production.

PRODUCTIVE-ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF FORAGE CACTUS-SORGHUM INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS IRRIGATED WITH SALINE WATER

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive and economic performance of a forage cactus and sorghum intercropping system in relation to a forage cactus single cropping system under different irrigation blades with saline water. The study was conducted in Serra Talhada, State of Pernambuco, in a randomized block design, consisting of a factorial arrangement with split-plot parcels (5×2) and four replications. The five plots were the irrigation depths based on the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) (0, 8.75, 17.5, 26.25, and 35% ETo) and the two cropping systems were single forage cactus cropping and cactus intercropped with sorghum. The experiment was conducted for one year, with one forage cactus cycle and two cycles of sorghum. Yields were obtained at the end of the cycles. Economic profitability was analyzed by means of net revenue (NR) and the benefit/cost ratio (B/C), with cactus forage sold as forage or as "seed" and sorghum as forage. Net revenue and B/C simulations were carried out over an eight-year useful life span of the irrigation system. Increasing irrigation depth increased the dry matter yield of the intercropping system because of higher sorghum yield. Based on the NR and B/C ratio values, forage cactus and sorghum produced as forage produced higher economic outcomes in the intercropping system and showed a higher profitability from the 2nd year of implementation of the irrigation system. Forage cactus and sorghum intercropping irrigated with saline water is therefore recommended for forage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Growth, water use and efficiency of forage cactus sorghum intercropping under different water depths

ABSTRACT The effects of the forage cactus sorghum configuration and different irrigation depths on the growth, water use and efficiency of the forage cactus production system were investigated in this study. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Serra Talhada, Pernambuco State, Brazil, between the years 2012 and 2013. Forage cactus was distributed in randomized blocks with factorial scheme and four replicates, in split plots (5 x 2), with five irrigation depths (0, 8.75, 17.5, 26.25 and 35% of the reference evapotranspiration, ET0) and two cropping systems (forage cactus monocropping and forage cactus sorghum intercropping). Crop evapotranspiration was calculated through soil water balance. The ratio between crop and reference evapotranspiration, and land use and water use efficiencies, were estimated. Irrigation depths and the intercropping affected only forage cactus canopy width and cladode biomass. The ratio between crop and reference evapotranspiration increased with the increase of irrigation depths, while the highest water use efficiency based on dry matter occurred at irrigation depths higher than 1,096 mm year-1 in the intercropping (21.8 ± 6.8 kg ha-1 mm-1). Irrigation depths did not affect land use efficiency (0.83). Water depths from 1,096 to 1,202 mm year-1 are recommended in the forage cactus sorghum system.

Comparison of Intercropped Sorghum- Soybean Compared to its Sole Cropping

Comparison of Intercropped Sorghum- Soybean Compared to its Sole Cropping

Determination of Plant Density on Yield of Sorghum Intercropping with Haricot Bean at Fadis and Babile

Haricot bean is a principal food crop particularly in Southern and Eastern part of Ethiopia, where it is widely intercropped with maize and sorghum, respectively, to supplement farmer’s income (EPPA, 2004). This experiment was handling the appropriate seeding rate on yield of sorghum and haricot bean grown with intercropping system at Eastern Hararghe areas. This activity was done at two locations, Babile and Fadis in RCBD design. The research result showed that, there was significance difference among treatments. treatment (25cmsorghum*30cmharicotbean) and (30cmsorghum and 30cmharicotbean) have more yield when compared to the other both in terms of yield and land equivalent ratio .Even though the sole sorghum yield per hectare were relatively looks like high, the cumulative yield of intercropping yield were higher than the sole sorghum. At both location (Fadis and Erer) the data obtained were similar. This indicates that similar recommendation for the two locations.

PENGARUH TANAMAN SELA SORGUM MANIS TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN TANAMAN KARET BELUM MENGHASILKAN

The Land between row of immature rubber period has a potential to produce sweet sorghum. This sorghum is one of high value commodities for food and energy security due to its wide adaptation. The objective of this research were to study the effect of rubber+sorghum intercropping system on the growth of immature rubber trees and to study some agronomic parameters of sorghum and production of sweet sorghum as rubber intercrops. The experiment was conducted at the Sembawa Research Station from June to October 2013. The experiment was carried out as a single factori using Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatment were 3 varieties of sorghum i.e: Pahat, Kawali and Mandau. Observation of rubber trees was conducted using simple random sampling method, comparing the rubber trees growth of sorghum intercropping system with the rubber trees growth of monoculture system. The results showed that sorghum had a positive effect on the growth of rubber tree IRR 118. Furthermore, fresh stem weight (37.11 t/ha), juice yield (1.80 t/ha), and grains yield (2.69 t/ha) of sweet sorghum Kawali higher than that of the varieties tested. The Kawali has a high potential to produce a biofuel because it had a highest fresh stem weight and juice content.

Strip cropping system as a climate adaptation strategy in semi-arid Alfisols of South Central India

A two year (2013-2015) field experiment was conducted to assess the efficiency of rainfed strip intercropping of sorghum (S) and pigeonpea (PP) under 4:4 replacement series in comparison with 2:1 intercropping under additive series for system productivity, economic efficiency and farm family food security. There were three treatment combinations (S+ PP –relay horsegram (HG), S+ PP -ratoon S and S+ PP -sequence HG) accommodating an opportune crop of relay or sequence HG to be tested against checks of sole crops. S and PP strip system in a high rainfall year (2013)yielded 31% higher grain than 2:1 S and PP intercropping, but such advantages were not observed during a deficit rainfall year (2014). Significant PP yield increase during a high rainfall year in a strip system increased both water productivity (10.1 to 16.5 kg/ha/mm) and net returns (Reupees 57490 to 71680/year). Similarly, during high rainfall year (2013), a superior diverse index (1.63 over 1.19) and production efficiency (19.6 over 13.5 kg/ha/day) was observed.Both relay/sequence cropped HG performed equally well while ratoon S performed poorly. Therefore, for changing climate, 4:4 strip intercropping of S and PP showed higher productivity and economic returns as compared to 2:1 intercropping system. Opportune cropping through relay or sequence HG can be successfully carried out in semi-arid regions during post monsoon season for climate change adaptation.

&lt;b&gt;Silage quality of sorghum and &lt;i&gt;Urochloa brizantha&lt;/i&gt; cultivars monocropped or intercropped in different planting systems

Recently it has emerged a technique for silage production of intercropping systems of annual crop with forage through crop-livestock integration, aiming to reduce the deficit forage in the offseason. The study was conducted to evaluate the fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of silage of sorghum and Urochloa brizantha cultivars monocropped or intercropped in different planting systems. The experiment was a randomized block design, with three replications, in a 3x2+4 factorial arrangement, with three cultivars of Urochloa brizantha (Marandu; Xaraes and Piata) intercropped with grain sorghum in two planting systems (row and between rows) and four monocrops (Sorghum, Marandu palisadegrass, Xaraes palisadegrass and Piata palisadegrass). The planting system of intercropping systems did not interfere with fermentation characteristics and chemical composition of silages. The same was found for Urochloa cultivars. Silages from intercropping sorghum with Urochloa brizantha cultivars had lower pH values, buffering capacity, acetic and butyric acids and higher values of lactic acid, besides showed superior quality, as for the parameters dry matter, ether extract and total digestible nutrient than silages from grasses produced in monocropping system. Therefore, silages of intercropping systems ensure fermentation and nutritional quality, providing interesting supplementary bulky options to be used in the offseason for feeding animals.

Production potential, energy efficiency and economics of wheat (Triticum aestivum) succeeding fodder sorghum intercropped in seed crop of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)

A field experiment was conducted at CCSHAU, Hisar during 2011-12 and 2012-13 to evaluate the intercropping of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) grown for seed during kharif season and their impact on succeeding wheat grown with three levels of nitrogen [50, 75 and 100 % recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN)] in split plot design with three replications. The results revealed that 1:1 row ratio of dhaincha and sorghum at 30 cm spacing succeeded by wheat was found most economical and feasible cropping system among all the treatments with highest wheat equivalent yield (7.22 tonnes/ha), system profitability (Rupees 241/ha/day), production efficiency (2.44 tonnes WEY/ha/day), net return (71.4 × 103 Rupees/ha ), B:C ratio (1.32), energy productivity (285.4 kg/ MJ) and apparent nutrient use productivity of 20.3 kg WEY/ha-kg. The 1:1 row ratio of dhaincha with sorghum yielded almost equal seed yield of dhaincha (only 2.8% reduction) with additional yield of 17.8 tonnes/ha sorghum fodder over sole crop. Hence, for seed production dhaincha be sown at 60 cm spacing intercropped with one row of fodder sorghum in between two rows of dhaincha followed by wheat to supplement the income of farmers.