Effect of cereals and legumes intercropping on production potential, economics and quality of fodder during summer season.

摘要

To assess the production potential and economic viability of intercropping of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and maize (Zea mays) with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), rice bean (Vigna umbellata) and cluster bean (Cyamposis tetragonoloba), a field experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 2006 and 2007 at Bihar Agricultural College Farm, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. Pooled analysis of data revealed that intercropping of sorghum and cowpea recorded the highest total green fodder (557.0 q/ha), dry matter (131.9 q/ha) and crude protein yield (11.76 q/ha) as well as net return (Rs. 21 025/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (2.05). It was statistically at par with the combinations involving rice bean and cluster bean with sorghum as well as cowpea and rice bean with pearl millet. Monetary advantage ranged from Rs. 1053/ha with intercropping of maize and cluster bean to Rs. 5899/ha under sorghum+cowpea. Land equivalent ratio and relative crowding coefficient were more than 1 in all intercropping system. Maximum values 1.39 and 6.58 were obtained in sorghum+cowpea intercropping system. Among the component crops, sorghum with cluster bean was more competitive and aggressive than other cereals+legumes combinations. However, maize intercropped with cowpea was found to be most compatible intercropping systems with lower values of aggressivity (0.11) and competition ratio (1.20).