Pigeonpea intercropping with some cereals and legumes in the plateau area of Eastern India

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 1992-93 and 1993-94 at the agricultural experimental farm, Giridih, Bihar to evaluate the intercropping system of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) with cereals such as maize (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.), and legumes such as greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Pigeonpea + groundnut was the best system followed by pigeonpea + greengram with pigeonpea equivalent yields of 2.51 t ha¹ and 2.07 ha¹, respectively, compared with 1.97 t ha¹ from pigeonpea alone. The efficiency of intercrops was assessed on the basis of actual yield loss where yield per plant of the component crop was considered. Soil nitrogen enrichment through legume cultivation contributed to higher yield of the succeeding Indian mustard crop (Brassica juncea L. Crenz & Cosson).