Influence of planting pattern and sulphur on mungbean (Vigna radiata) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) intercropping under semi-arid region of Rajasthan

The study was carried out during kharif season of 2009 to study the effect of different intercropping systems and sulphur levels on mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Among the different row ratios, sole planting of both the crops gave significantly maximum seed yield and uptake of nutrients. The highest productivity in terms of mungbean equivalent yield (1.21 t/ha) was obtained under sole mungbean, which remained on par with mungbean + sesame grown in 4:1 ratio. Mungbean + sesame grown in 4:1 ratio also gave significantly highest land equivalent ratio. Application of increasing levels of sulphur up to 30 kg S/ha recorded significantly highest seed yield of mungbean. However, significant improvement in seed yield of sesame, total uptake of nitrogen and sulphur by mungbean and sesame, protein content in seed of mungbean, oil content in seed of sesame, mungbean equivalent yield and land equivalent ratio were observed up to 45 kg S/ha.