Effect of Different Land configuration Practices on Productivity of Sorghum – Pigeonpea intercropping system in Shallow Alfisols

Soil moisture plays an important role in increasing crop yields in the rainfed Alfisols of semi arid tropics. The effect of land configuration practices on soil moisture content and yield of sorghum – pigeonpea inter cropping system were evaluated during kharif seasons of 2006–07 and 2007–08 on shallow Alfisol at Hyderabad. Availability of soil water during different stages of crop growth was increased by ridge – furrow system resulting in increased grain yield of sorghum – pigeonpea intercrops. In situ moisture conservation practices viz ridge – furrow and bed – furrows at 0.9 m spacing using tractor drawn furrower tool increased the sorghum grain yield by 29% (3528 kg ha⁻¹) and 17% (3200 kg ha⁻¹) during 2006 -07 and 36% (3210 kg ha⁻¹) and 27% (2992 kg ha⁻¹) during 2007–08 respectively over no furrows. Ridge – furrow practice improved sorghum equivalent yield to an extent of 21 and 55% in 2006–07 and 2007–08 respectively.