Performance of Double Cropping Systems Involving Legume Vegetables and Finger Millet Under Rainfed Condition

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons (2001 to 2003) to study the performance of double cropping systems comprising cowpea and cluster bean for fodder or incorporation after harvest of green pods, each followed by finger millet under rainfed condition. Among the double cropping systems, cowpea for incorporation after harvest of green pods - finger millet system recorded the highest FMGEY (Finger millet grain equivalent yield) of 4.95 t/ha, land use efficiency (61%), production efficiency (22kg/day/ha), net profit (Rs 16342/ha), B:C ratio (1.79) and energy-use efficiency for economic produce(321g/MJ). Both the crops in this sequence performed better, which resulted into such prospective. Application of P and transplanting finger millet significantly recorded maximum finger millet grain yield (2.20 and 2.25 t/ha,respectively), FMGEY (4.46 t/ha and 4.45 t/ha), net profit (Rs 15606 and Rs 15025/ha), B:C ratio (1.88 and 1.82), energy output (91.2 and 90.0 MJ/kg × 1000) and energy - use efficiency for economic (316 and 313g/MJ) and biological produce (620 and 623g/MJ). Cowpea – finger millet system, application of P and transplanting of finger millet recorded the highest uptake and residual soil nutrient content.