EFFECT OF PLANTING PATTERN ON YIELD AND MOISTURE-USE EFFICIENCY IN SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS-ANNUUS) PIGEONPEA (CAJANUS-CAJAN) INTERCROPPING SYSTEM

A 3-year rainfed experiment conducted in Alfisols on planting patterns in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) -pigeonpea [Cajan- cajan (L.) Mil lsp.) intercropping system showed that the yields of sunflower and pig eonpea in intercropping systems were significantly reduced compared wi th their sole crops. But the intercropping system on the whole gave an yield advantage of 55% and fetched additional net returns by Rs 1,071 and Rs 1,045/ha compared with the net return under sole sunflower (Rs 1,239/ha) and pigeonpea (Rs 1,265/ha) respectively. The yield advanta ges in the intercropping system was mainly due to efficient utilizatio n of water under rainfed situation. Among the planting patterns, inter cropping 1 and 2 rows of sunflower in 90 and 120 cm rows of pigeonpea respectively . gave significantly higher yields of components crops, l and-equivalent ratio and gross and net returns/ha. These systems were found stable over the years at 70-80% desired yield levels of sole sun flower and pigeonpea.