Productivity, economic viability, water use efficiency, reciprocity functions and energy efficiency of sesame (Sesamum indicum)-based intercropping in rainfed ecosystem

A field experimentwas conducted at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh for two kharifseasons of 2009 and2010 to assess the relative productivity and profitability of different sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)-based intercropping systems under rainfed condition. Sole greengram recorded significantly higher canopy during both the years, which in turn reflected the lowest splash loss from the soil surface. Among intercropping systems, sesame + greengram (1: 2) exhibited highest canopy which showed lowest splash loss over other systems. Sesame + greengram (1: 1) recorded highest water use efficiency, followed by sesame + blackgram (1: 1). Sesame + greengram (1: 1) was proved to be the most efficient, productive and remunerative cropping system as it gave the highest mean sesame equivalent yield (9.25 q ha⁻¹) and also accounted for highest values for land equivalent ratio (1.29), land equivalent coefficient (0.41), area-time equivalent ratio (1.12), production efficiency (10.39 kg ha⁻¹ day-¹), monetary advantage index (9418) and monetary efficiency ( 302 ha⁻¹ day-¹) compared to other intercropping systems. Sesame + greengram (1: 1) registered higher energy output over all other cropping systems. The energy produced by this system was 14.2, 16.8 and 19.4% higher than sesame + blackgram (1: 1), sole sesame and sesame + blackgram (1: 2), respectively. The net return of 26959 ha⁻¹, cost: benefit ratio of 1: 2.81 and economic efficiency of 302.91 ha⁻¹ day-¹ were obtained more when greengram was intercropped with sesame in 1: 1 row ratio. When both productivity and economics were considered, the sesame + greengram under (1: 1) intercropping system was superior and could be recommended as an alternative to sesame alone.