INTERCROPPING OF COWPEA (VIGNA-UNGUICULATA) AND HORSEGRAM (MACROTYLOMA-UNIFLORUM) WITH SORGHUM FOR FODDER UNDER RAIN-FED CONDITIONS

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 1990-91 an d 1991-92 at Ambikapur. Treatments included 3 sole cropping of fodder sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and horsegram [Macrotylona uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.] and combina tions of intercropping of cowpea and horsegram with sorghum. Intercrop ping of sorghum with cowpea in paired alternate rows (2 : 2) recorded the highest green-fodder, dry-matter, crude protein yields, mean land- equivalent ratio (2.77) and net monetary return (Rs 6,804/ha) compared with other sole and intercropping systems. This treatment gave 63% mo re monetary return and 21% benefit : cost ratio over sole crop of sorg hum.