Productivity potential and economic feasibility of sesame (Sesamum indicum) based intercropping system with different planting patterns on rainfed upland

Abstract

Afield experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2000 and 2001 to determine productivity and eco nomic feasibility of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) based intercropping system on Gangetic alluvial rainfed up land. All the intercropping systems registered significant and appreciable increase in total productivity in terms of sesame equivalent yield over sole sesame. Among different intercropping patterns of sesame with pulse and oil seed crops, paired row planted sesame (30160 cm) 1 row groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) resulted in maximum sesame equivalent yield (1,654 kglha), net return (Rs 9,414 kglha), land equivalent ratio (1.59), monetary advan tage (Rs 6,751 kg/ha), and indicated a modest aggressivity index (k0.29) owing to minimum competition between crops. This system, thus, proved most efficient and sustainable on rainfed upland ecosystem.