Production potential and economic feasibility of sesame (Sesamum indicum)-based intercropping system with pulse and oilseed crops on rice fallow land

A field experiment was conducted during the spring seeon of 1997 and 1998 at Baruipur, West Bengal, to evaluate the economically and biologically sustainable intercrop association of sesqme (Sesamum indicum L.) with greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.), blackgram (P. mungo L.), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) on rice fallow land. An intercropping of groundnut with sesame was found most beneficial to sole stand yield of sesame. Among the intercrop associations, sesame + groundnut under 3:2 row proportion gave the maximum sesame-equivalent yield (947 kglha), land- equivalent ratio (1.31). product of relative crowding coefficient (K 3.87). monetary advantage (Rs 2,913/ha), net returns (Rs 5, 321/ha), income equivalent ratio (1.21) and also indicated a modest cornpetitinre ratio (0.86 : 1.16) and aggressivity factor (* It proved the best intercrop stand among dl the crop asocMms. 0.37).