Performance of little millet (Panicum flexuosum) based cropping system for rainfed agro ecosystems: A path to sustainable crop diversification

K  SIVAGAMY; BALAJI  PARASURAMAN; S ARUL  PRASAD; K  ANANTHI; M  RAJESH; K SHARMILI; V  KARUNAKARAN; AJAY  KUMAR; A  SELVARANI

doi:10.56093/ijas.v94i4.145927

Authors

K SIVAGAMY ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tirur, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
BALAJI PARASURAMAN Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
S ARUL PRASAD ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tirur, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
K ANANTHI Agricultural College and Research Institute, (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), Tiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu
M RAJESH ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Needamangalam, Tiruvarur, (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), Tamil Nadu
K SHARMILI Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
V KARUNAKARAN ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Needamangalam, Tiruvarur, (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), Tamil Nadu
AJAY KUMAR CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana
A SELVARANI ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Thirupathisaram, Kanyakumarai, (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), Tamil Nadu

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v94i4.145927

Keywords:

Crop diversification, Economic return, Inter cropping, Little millet, Nutritional security, Pulses

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2019, 2020 and 2021 at Centre of Excellence in Millets, (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), Athiyandal, Tiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu. to study the performance of little millet (Panicum flexuosum Retz.) based cropping system for rainfed agro ecosystems for north-eastern part of Tamil Nadu. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) comprised of 9 treatments, viz. T1, Little millet + Redgram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] (4:1)-Moth bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal]; T₂, Little millet + Redgram (4:1)-Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]; T₃, Little millet + Redgram (4:1)-Horsegram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.]; T₄, Little millet + Redgram (6:2)-Moth bean; T₅, Little millet + Redgram (6:2)-Blackgram; T₆, Little millet + Redgram (6:2)-Horsegram; T₇, Little millet + Redgram (8:2)- Mothbean; T₈, Little millet + Redgram (8:2)-Blackgram; T₉, Little millet + Redgram (8:2)- Horsegram, with three replications. The good quality seeds of little millet (CO 4), redgram (Paiyur 2), horsegram (Paiyur 2), blackgram (VBN 3) and mothbean [TMV (Mb) 1] were used. The result shows that the higher yield for little millet and intercropped redgram was recorded in T₉ (985 and 362 kg/ha) followed by T₇ (853 and 356 kg/ha) and T₈ (834 and 337 kg/ ha). The 8:2 row ratio exhibited the highest little millet equivalent yield when compared to 6:2 and 4:1 row ratio. The highest economic return and benefit cost (B:C) ratio was observed in T₉ with gross return of ₹60,962/ha, net returns of ₹35,362/ha and B:C ratio (2.38). This was followed by T₇ which had gross returns of ₹51,314/ha, net returns of ₹25,989/ha and B:C ratio (2.10).

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