Productivity potential and economic feasibility of sesame (Sesamum indicum)-based intercropping system with different planting patterns on rainfed upland

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2000 and 2001 to determine productivity and economic feasibility of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)-based intercropping system on Gangetic alluvial rainfed upland. All the intercropping systems registered significant and appreciable increase in total productivity in terms of sesame-equivalent yield over sole sesame. Among different intercropping patterns of sesame with pulse and oilseed crops, paired row planted sesame (30/60 cm) +1 row groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) resulted in maximum sesame-equivalent yield (1, 654 kg/ha), net return (Rs 9, 414 kg/ha), land-equivalent ratio (1.59), monetary advantage (Rs 6, 751 kg/ha), and indicated a modest aggressivity index (±0.29) owing to minimum competition between crops. This system, thus, proved most efficient and sustainable on rainfed upland ecosystem.