Effect of forage legumes intercropping on growth, yield and economics of sabaigrass (Eulaliopsis binata)

An experiment was carried out during 1996-98 to evaluate the production pot ential and economic returns of sabaigrass [Eulaliopsis binata (Retz.) C E H ubb.]-based intercropping systems on rainfed upland of Similipal foot hills of Orissa. Intercropping of forage legumes like mothbean [Vigna aconitifol ius (Jacq.) Marechal], styles [Stylosanthes hamata (L.) Taubert.], cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], butterfly-pea [Clitoria ternatea L.], cluste r bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] and rice-bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi] was better than sole sabaigrass both in terms of total production and net return. Sabaigrass + styles recorded highest sabai grass equivalent yield (5.98 tonnes/ha), net return (Rs 7 626/ha) and benef it : cost ratio (2.78) followed by sabaigrass + cowpea (5.39 tonnes/ha, Rs 6 689/ha, 2.67).