Productivity and economics of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) + urdbean (Phaseolus mungo) intercropping system under various planting geometry and fertilizer management in rainfed condition of Chhattisgarh

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1998, 1999 and 2000 at the Instructional Farm Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to study the pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] + urdbean (Phaseolus mungo L.) intercrop management under various planting geometry and fertilizer levels in rainfed conditions of Chhattisgarh. The treatment comprised 2 sole stands of pigeonpea and urdbean and 9 stands of intercropping combination of pigeonpea and urdbean with different planting geometry and fertilizer dose. On the basis of 3 years results, the highest seed yield of pigeonpea (1,190 kg/ha) and urdbean (415 kg/ha) was recorded under their sole treatment. Sole pigeonpea gave the highest net return (Rs 20,017/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (6.29). The next best performing treatment was pigeonpea paired row (with full recommended dose of fertilizer) + urdbean (with one-third of recommended fertilizer) with pigeonpea-equivalent yield (1,141 kg/ha), net return (Rs 18,845/ha), benefit: cost ratio (4.73), land-equivalent ratio (1.45), monetary advantage (7,076) and production efficiency (6.22 kg/day).