Intercropping in fingermillet (Eleusine coracana) with pulses for enhanced productivity, resource conservation and soil fertility in uplands of Southern Orissa

A field experiment on diversification of fingermillet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) through blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) intercropping was carried out for 3 years during 2001 - 2003 at Kokriguda watershed, Koraput (Orissa) to identify the most promising intercropping systems for improving and stabilizing productivity of uplands. Fingermillet + pigeonpea and fingermillet + blackgram both in 4:2 row ratio produced 77.7% and 67.4% higher fingermillet equivalent yield (FMEY) over broadcast sown fingermillet (farmers’ practice). Highest land equivalent ratio (1.34), net returns (Rs. 9,665/ha) and benefit cost: ratio (1.00) however, were obtained with fingermillet + pigeonpea (6:2 ratio). However, blackgram on contours recorded the lowest runoff (10.2%) and soil (4.7 t/ha) and nutrient (N, P and K) losses through erosion. The soil fertility status was highest after pigeonpea cultivation on contours.