Productivity and economics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) + urdbean (Phaseolus mungo) intercropping system under various planting geometry and fertilizer man- agement in rainfed condition of Chhattisgarh

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1998, 1999 and 2000 at the Instruc- tional Farm: lndira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to study the pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] + urdbean (Phaseolus mungo L.) intercrop management under various planting geometry and fertil- izer levels in rainfed conditions of Chhattisgarh. The treatment comprised 2 sole stands of pigeonpea and urdbean and 9 stands of intercropping combination of pigeonpea and urdbean with different planting geometry and fertilizer dose. On the basis of 3 years results, the highest seed yield of pigeonpea (1,190 kglha) and urdbean (415 kglha) was recorded under their sole treatment. Sole pigeonpea gave the highest net return (Rs 20,0171ha) and benefit : cost rario (6.29). The next best performing treatment was pigeonpea paired row (with full recommended dose of fertilizer) + urdbean (with one-third of recommended fertilizer) with pigeonpea-.equivalent yield (1,141 kglha), net return (Rs 18,845/ha), benefit : cost ratio (4.73), land-equivalent ratio (1.45), monetary advantage (7,076) and production etficiency (6.22 kglday).