Effect of intercropping rice (Oryza sativa) with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) under different row orientations on rainfed uplands

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2000 2001 at Baruipur, Kolkata, to evalu- ate the production potential and economic feasibility of intercropping in rainfed direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) with groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under different spatial arrange- ments. The intercropping system of rice with either groundnut or pigeonpea was found beneficial over sole crop- ping of rice. Among the intercropping systems, rice with groundnut in 4:2 row proportion was most productive and remunerative, as it gave the maximum rice-equivalent yield (2,815 kglha), net returns (Rs 7,72O/ha), income- equivalent ratio (1.61) and higher land-utilization efficiency (31 %).