Stability studies in Sorghum based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions in India

Data from many trials under rainfed conditions in different regions of India in which sorghum was grown alone or in association with Vigna radiata, V. sinensis [V. unguiculata], V. mungo, soyabeans, groundnuts and Cajanus cajan were analysed and yield advantages, stability of cropping systems and regressions of yield on environmental indices were determined. Sorghum yields never suffered decreases >10% from intercropping with legumes and increased slightly when cropped with V. radiata and V. unguiculata. Legume yields decreased as a result of competition with sorghum. Land equivalent ratios compared with single cropping ranged from 1.63 and 1.58 in sorghum/V. unguiculata and sorghum/V. radiata, resp., to 1.33 when sorghum was intercropped with groundnuts. All systems gave more stable yields than did single cropping. Inclusion of legumes appreciably increased monetary returns