Effect of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)-based intercropping systems on yield and economics under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2010–11 to 2012–13 at Nana Kandhasar, Surendranagar, Gujarat to study the yield, economics and post harvest soil nutrient status of groundnut (Arachis hypogeae L)-based intercropping systems under rainfed condition. Results of experiment indicated that intercropping of groundnut and sesame in the row proportion of 1: 1 recorded significantly higher groundnut pod equivalent yield (1106 kg/ha), land equivalent ratio (1.18), net returns (Rs 30691/ha) as well as B: C ratio (1.82) over other planting pattern. Further, the data revealed that the highest nutrient use productivity (27.88 kg/ha/kg) was recorded under sole groundnut, while maximum available N (220.2 kg/ha) and K (310.4 kg/ha) was recorded with groundnut + greengram (1: 1) and highest available P (29.2 kg/ha) with sole mothbean. Thus, groundnut + sesame (1: 1) is a biologically and economically sustainable intercropping system for rainfed conditions of Gujarat.