Pigeonpea-sunflower intercropping system for mitigating climate variability under rainfed condition of western Maharashtra

The National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture Project (NICRA), financed by ICAR, New Delhi through AICRPDA, CRIDA, Hyderabad, is being implemented at Narotewadi village, Solapur district, Maharashtra since 2011-12 as well as at Banegaon, Mardi and Raleras, North Solapur, since 2018-19. The main objective of the study was to mitigate climate variability and dry spell management by real time contingency plan implementation and preparedness through dryland technologies viz., soil moisture conservation, foliar sprays, farm mechanization, intercropping systems, etc. The intercropping of pigeonpea + sunflower (1:2) was found to be one of the best climate resilient systems on medium black soils of Narotewadi village of Solapur district. Pigeonpea + sunflower (1:2) intercropping system recorded higher pigeonpea seed yield (638 kg ha⁻¹), sunflower seed yield (656 kg ha⁻¹) and pigeonpea equivalent yield (939 kg ha⁻¹) over farmers’ practice of sole pigeonpea and sunflower (496 kg ha⁻¹ and 555 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). Pigeonpea + sunflower (1:2) intercropping system also recorded maximum net returns and B:C ratio (Rs. 29968 ha⁻¹ and 2.7 respectively) over the farmers’ practice. Pigeonpea + sunflower intercropping system also recorded higher rainwater use efficiency of 1.7 and 1.9 kg ha⁻¹mm⁻¹ compared to farmers’ practice. The intercropping system thrived even during prolonged dry spells.