Evaluation of intercropping systems involving pearlmillet (Pennisetum typhoides) and mungbean (Vigna radiata) as intercrop in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

The experiment was carried out at Hisar during rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 2011–12 and 2012–13 for evaluation of different intercrops in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. Based on the investigation it was found that intercropping systems influenced the number of pods, which was maximum in pigeonpea (90 cm) + mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilezek] (1: 1) (99.30) and number of effective tillers (25.90) and grains/spike (2368) was highest in pigeonpea 90 cm + pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br. Emend. Stuntz] (1: 1) in pearlmillet. In case of mungbean, number of pods (44.96) recorded the maximum when mungbean planted one row in pigeonpea at 90 cm. Grain and biological yields were significantly the highest in sole crop i.e. pigeonpea (2.02 and 6.02 t/ha) respectively, pearlmillet (2.12 and 8.27 t/ha) respectively, and mungbean (1.36 and 5.41 t/ha) respectively. The maximum land-equivalent ratio (LER) (1.56) and land equivalent coefficient (LEC) (0.60) were recorded with pigeonpea (75 cm) + pearlmillet (1: 2) during both the years. Pigeonpea planted at 75 cm spacing along with 2 rows of mungbean, resulted maximum pigeonpea equivalent yield (PEY) (2.63 t/ha) and monetary advantage index (MAI) (f 28, 325/ha).