Feasibility studies in transplanted pigeonpea + soybean intercropping system

An investigation was carried out during kharif 2010–11 under rainfed condition to study the feasibility of transplanting of varying age pigeonpea seedling under sole and intercropping with direct sown soybean (6:1) at Pulses Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. Individual pigeonpea seedling transplanted under sole as well as intercropped with soybean showed positive effect on various agronomic traits such as stem diameter, number of branches, biomass, pods and grain weight/plant over direct sown plants. Sole transplanting of varying age pigeonpea seedling recorded significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (2206 kg/ha) over direct sown sole crop (1747 kg/ha). However, higher net return was recorded with direct sown sole pigeonpea (Rs 50737/ha) with B:C ratio 3.92 over sole transplanting of varying age of pigeonpea seedling (Rs 35159/ha with B:C ratio 1.69). Soybean + transplanted pigeonpea (6:1) with varying age of seedling produced significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield (2153 kg/ha) compared to direct sown soybean+ pigeonpea (1614 kg/ha). Soybean + transplanted pigeonpea with varying age gave higher returns (55765 kg/ha) over direct sown pigeonpea + soybean (Rs 49259/ha). Highest land equivalent ratio was recorded with transplanting varying age of pigeonpea seedling intercropped with soybean. Transplanting varying age of pigeonpea seedling also found more competitive than soybean as evident from aggressivity and competitive ratio. Soil fertility status after harvest of transplanted pigeonpea intercropped with soybean and their sole cropping did not show depletion from initial status.