Intercropping in pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) with grain legumes and oilseed crops under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 1994 a nd 1995 at New Delhi, to study the performance of various pearlmillet [Penn isetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz]-based intercropping systems under its 2 row arrangements. Significant reductions in tillers/m row length and dry matter/plant were observed in pearlmiliet + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] and pearlmillet + sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) intercropping. Yi eld attributes and grain yield recorded in pearlmillet + pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], pearlmillet + groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pea rlmillet + cowpea did not differ significantly with sole pearlmillet at 60 cm uniform row spacing. Maximum pearlmillet-grain equivalent was, however, recorded with pearlmillet + pigeonpea intercropping.