Effect of row ratio of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) intercropping system on productivity, competition functions and economics under rainfed conditions of north India

An experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 3 consecutive years from 2000 to 2002 at the Livestock Research Centre of the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, to study the effect of row ratio of fodder sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] intercropping systems. Intercropping of fodder sorghum in narrow row space of pigeonpea (75 cm) with a row ratio of 1:2 recorded the highest pigeonpea-equivalent yield (34.36 q/ha), net returns (Rs 30,179/ha), benefit: cost ratio (4.96), aggressivity index (0.533), area-time equivalent ratio (1.21), land-equivalent ratio (1.583) and relative crowding co-efficient (15.07). Thus, the intercropping system may be adopted for higher net return, benefit: cost ratio and pegionpea-equivalent yield.