Effect of planting pattern on productivity and water use efficiency of sesame (Sesamum indicum) intercropping with pulses under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2011 and 2012 at Kanpur to find out the suitable row ratio of sesame + greengram/blackgram in intercropping under rainfed condition. The results revealed that sesame performed better in intercropping than sole cropping. 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: 1) exhibited highest canopy which showed lowest splash loss over other systems. Splash loss was estimated minimum (2.83 t ha⁻¹) in sole greengram and maximum (7.58 t ha⁻¹) in sole sesame. Most efficient water use efficiency was recorded in sesame + greengram paired in 2: 1 row ratio (2.67 kg seed ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ water), followed by sesame + blackgram in 2: 1 row ratio (2.61 kg seed ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ water) and lowest under sole sesame (1.84 kg seed ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ water). The intercropping system of sesame + greengram under paired planting in 2: 1 row ratio gave the highest mean sesame equivalent yield (9.73 q ha⁻¹) and earned maximum net return (x 10³ ` 37.09 ha⁻¹).