Effect of Pearl Millet Based Intercropping Systems on Yield Indices and Nutrient Uptake in Hyper Arid Partially Irrigated Western Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during kharif, 2014 at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Bikaner. The experiment comprising 17 treatment combinations with three replications and was laid out in randomized block design with combination of one sole pearlmillet, one sole clusterbean, one sole mothbean and seven PM+CB and PM+MB intercropping systems (viz., 1: 1, 1: 2, 1: 3, 2: 1, 3: 1, 2: 2 and 3: 3 row ratios) respectively. An intercropping of pearl millet + clusterbean planted at 1: 3 row ratio produced significantly higher pearl millet grain equivalent yield (35.26 q ha ⁻¹) than all other intercropping systems and sole cropping, however, it was at par with pearl millet + clusterbean 1: 2 row ratio (33.28 qha ⁻¹). Similarly thehighest net monetary returns (Rs.50679 ha ⁻¹) as well as benefit-cost ratio (5.43) were recorded in pearl millet + clusterbean 1: 3 row ratio intercropping system. The land equivalent ratios of pearlmillet + mothbean 2: 1 row ratio intercropping system were recorded higher as compared to rest of the treatments. On the basis of pearl millet equivalent yield, net monetary returns, benefit-cost ratio and LER showed that pearl millet + clusterbean (1: 3) and Pearlmillet + clusterbean 2: 1 row ratio respectively, appears the most productive, efficient and profitable for hyper arid conditions of partially irrigated western Rajasthan.