Intercropping of Various Vegetables in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) on Inceptisols under Dryland Conditions

A field experiment was carried out during kharif 2002–03 to 2008–09 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Solapur, Maharashtra to find out vegetable crop suitable for intra and intercropping in pigeon pea on inceptisols under dryland conditions. Among all intercrops intercropping of pigeon pea + shepu (1:2) for vegetable recorded highest net returns, sustainable value index and B:C ratio ( 16763/ha, 0.23 and 1.83, respectively) followed by intercropping of pigeon pea + coriander (1:2) for vegetable ( 14600/ha, 0.18 and 1.74, respectively). Though pigeon pea + cluster bean recorded highest total monetary returns ( 37372/ha), because of low sustainable value index (0.10) and low B:C ratio (1.44), it gave low net returns ( 11872/ha). Further, the moisture use efficiency was higher in intercrops viz. shepu (7.97 kg/ha/mm) and coriander (6.39) both grown as vegetables.