Effect of component densities on the performance of pearl millet - Mung bean intercropping system under different rainfall situations in an arid environment
Nl. Joshi, Effect of component densities on the performance of pearl millet - Mung bean intercropping system under different rainfall situations in an arid environment, ANN ARID Z, 38(1), 1999, pp. 15-25
A field study on pearl millet and mung bean component densities in intercro
pping was assessed under three cropping season rainfall situations, viz., a
bove normal (409 mm), normal (301 mm) and below normal (190 mm) having 24,
14 and 8 effective rainy days, respectively. The soil was sandy loam having
10.5 and 2.5% moisture content (w/w) at field capacity and -15 bar tension
s, respectively. Decreasing the density of pearl millet (principal crop) fr
om 20 to 13.3 plants m(-2) increased its yield, but further decrease to 10
plants m(-2) decreased the yield at all levels of intercrop component densi
ties irrespective of the type of season. The yield of component crops depen
ded more on the effective storage of moisture in the, soil profile and avai
lability of moisture at reproductive stage (weeks 8-12) rather than quantum
of rainfall during the season. Component density combination of 13.3 plant
s m(-2) of pearl miller with 5 plants m(-2) of mung bean was optimum and re
sulted in the highest grain yield, LER and WUE in all seasons. Moisture str
ess in below normal season and the availability of radiation in lower half
of the canopy in good rainfall situation was a limiting factor for pearl mi
llet yield. Higher consumptive use (214-254 mm) was recorded in moisture st
ress free seasons compared to below normal rainfall season (150-157 mm). On
an average, harvest index was lower (0.24) in moisture stress season (due
to differential influence of terminal drought on grain and total dry matter
yield) as compared to normal and above normal rainfall seasons (0.42). Hig
h sustainable yield index for pearl miller under optimum component density
(0.37) compared to sole cropping (0.23) indicated better stability of pearl
miller production due to intercropping in arid environment.