Evaluation of Growth and Yield Attributes of Pearl Millet Based Intercropping Systems in Hyper Arid Partially Irrigated Western Rajasthan

A field experiment was undertaken to study the intercropping of important legumes in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) Br. emend Stuntz] under hyper arid conditions during the kharif season, 2014 at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Bikaner. The experiment comprising 17 treatment combinations with three replications and the experiment was laid out in randomized block design with combination of one sole pearl millet, one sole cluster bean, one sole moth bean and seven PM+CB and PM+MB intercropping systems (viz., 1: 1, 1: 2, 1: 3, 2: 1, 3: 1, 2: 2 and 3: 3 row ratios) respectively. Results showed that maximum plant height of pearl millet at 30 DAS and at harvest was recorded in PM+MB (1: 3 row ratio) intercropping system. Maximum number of tillers plant⁻¹ at 45 DAS and at harvest was recorded in PM+CB (3: 3 row ratio) as compared to rest of the treatments, which was at par with PM+CB (1: 2, 1: 3) and PM+MB (1: 2, 1: 3) row ratio. However, highest dry matter accumulation was obtained in PM+CB (3: 3 row ratio) at 30 DAS and at harvest. Further maximum effective tillers plant⁻¹ of pearl millet was recorded in PM+MB (1: 3 row ratio). However, there was no significant influence of different intercropping systems on ear head length, grain weight earhead⁻¹, test weight and harvest index of pearl millet. Maximum grain and stover yield were recorded with sole pearl millet however, it was at par with PM+MB (3: 1) intercropping system. Further, highest biological yield was obtained by sole pearl millet which was statistically at par with PM+CB (3: 1) and PM+MB (3: 1) intercropping systems.