Relative productivity and economics of sole, mixed and intercropping systems of sorgbum (Sorghum bicolor) and grain legumes under dryland condition

Abstract

A rainfed field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 1988 and 1989 to study the performance of sole, mixed and intercropping systems of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and legumes on Alfisols. Inrercropping of sorghum with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.J recorded 22.09 arid 59.49%, higher sorghum-equivalent yield, 20.87 and 39% higher land-equivalent ratio, 22.12 and 59,79% higher production efficiency, 13.02 and 23.78% higher harvest index, 21.63 and 37.74% higher net profit, and 19.80 and 28.72% higher benefit : cost ratio than mixed cropping and sole cropping of sorghum respectively. The grain and straw yields of sorghum in intercropping system increased by 11.41 and 0.61 % compared witll mixed cropping system and decreased only by 22.15 and 22.52% compared with sole cropping system respectively. Mixed cropping of soybean and pigeonpea in sorghum proved superior to sole cropping of sorghum. Sorghum + soybean followed by sorghum + pigeonpea in 2 : 2 row ratio proved superior in sorgnum-equivalent yield, land-equivalent ratio, production efficiency, harvest index and net profit.