Intercropping on rainfed on rainfed red soils of the Deccan plateau, India

Mutual competitive effects of several crops suited to the region were tested to develop a successful intercropping system. Highest total yields were obtained when sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) was grown at the highest population tested (220,000 plants/ha) and intercropped with sorghum or with pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.). Reducing the population of sorghum to better accommodate intercrops reduced yield for which the intercrops did not compensate. Manipulating planting pattern to reduce mutual competition had little effect on total yield. In the 2 yr, 1974 and 1975, yields of sorghum grown at high populations (at least 220,000 plants/ha) generally surpassed yields from plots of sorghum intercropped with pigeon pea. Nevertheless, monetary, nutritional, and risk considerations favor the intercropping system.