Effect of planting system and phosphorous on productivity, moisture use efficiency and economics of sole and intercropped pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) under rainfed conditions of northern India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at IARI, New Delhi during 2007 and 2008 to study the effect of planting system and phosphorus on productivity, moisture use efficiency and economics of sole and intercropped pigeonpea [Cajanus
cajan (L.) Millisp.] under rainfed conditions on a sandy loam soil. There was significant superiority in growth and yield
attributes as well as yield of pigeonpea under sole pigeonpea as compared to their intercropping with mungbean. However,
pigeonpea equivalent yield (1.86 tonnes/ha) was the highest under intercropped pigeonpea. Intercropping system recorded
the higher consumptive use (380.1 mm), moisture use efficiency (4.25 kg/ha-mm), moisture use rate (2.62 mm/day) as well as nutrient uptake and fetched higher net returns (Rupees 21.91 × 10³/ha) and B: C ratio (2.1) over sole pigeonpea. Results showed significant improvement in yield attributes and yield under different planting systems (Broad bed and furrow (BBF) and paired row planting) over the uniform row planting. The highest value of moisture use indices (consumptive use, moisture use efficiency and moisture use rate) and economics (net returns and B: C ratios) were recorded with broadbed and furrow planting and lowest in uniform row planting. Among phosphorus levels, application of 80 kg P₂O₅/ha followed by 40 kg P₂O₅ha with biofertilizers (phosphate solubilizing bacteria and vesicular and arbuscular mycorrhizae) resulted in better performance of crops over other treatments.