Response of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) inter cropping system to planting pattern and phosphorus management

A field experiment was conducted at New Delhi during the rainy season of 2000 and 2001, to study the effect of planting pattern and P fertilizer management in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) intercropping system. Planting patterns failed to affect the growth and yield attributes, protein content and yield of pigeonpea. Groundnut in all the intercropping treatments being at par recorded significantly lower yield attributes (except 1,000 seed weight) and yield compared with sole groundnut. Pigeonpea groundnut inter cropping in various planting patterns being at par recorded significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (PEY) and P uptake than sole pigeonpea. Both pigeonpea and groundnut in sole and intercropping systems responded favourably up to 40 kg P,O ha only for growth and yield attributes (except 1,000 seed weight and harvest index), protein content, yield, PEY and P uptake over no phosphorus.