Nutrient management for enhancing productivity of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)based intercropping system under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2011–12 and 2012–13 at Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Bihar, to study the effect of nutrient management for enhancing productivity of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]-based intercropping systems. Pigeonpea + turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) intercropping system, recorded significantly higher pigeonpea yield (2.00 t/ha), pigeonpea-equivalent yield (4.79 t/ha), fruiting efficiency (18.8%), water-use efficiency (6.1 kg grain/ha/mm), production efficiency (18.0 kg/ha/day) and net returns ( 106.32 ×10^#/ha) than pigeonpea + maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping and sole pigeonpea. However, pigeonpea + turmeric recorded lower benefit: cost (B: C) ratio than sole pigeonpea. Significantly higher B: C ratio was recorded under pigeonpea + sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) (2.32) and pigeonpea + urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (2.31) intercropping systems than pigeonpea + maize, pigeonpea + turmeric and sole pigeonpea. Pigeonpea + maize recorded significantly lower NPK uptake by pigeonpea than sole pigeonpea and the other intercropping systems. Pigeonpea + mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek] and pigeonpea + urdbean recorded significantly higher number and dry weight of nodules/plant than pigeonpea + maize. Application of 125% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) recorded significantly higher number of branches and pods/plant, pigeonpeaequivalent yield (3.39 t/ha), land-equivalent ratio (1.87), production efficiency (12.8 kg/ha/day), net returns ( 80.83 ×10³/ha), benefit: cost ratio (2.17) and NPK uptake by pigeonpea than RDF and 75% RDF. Pigeonpeaequivalent yield in pigeonpea + urdbean, pigeonpea + mungbean and pigeonpea + sesame intercropping systems, increased significantly with the increasing levels of fertilizer up to RDF, and further increase in fertilizer level did not show significant effect on pigeonpea-equivalent yield. However, it increased significantly up to 125% RDF in pigeonpea + maize and pigeonpea + turmeric intercropping systems. Pigeonpea + urdbean and pigeonpea + mungbean increased organic carbon, available N, P, K content of the soil than the other intercropping systems and initial soil value.