Yield performance and complementarity of rice (Oryza sativa) with greengram (Phaseolus radiatus), blackgram (Phaseolus mungo) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) under different rice-legume associations

In a field investigation during the wet season of 1991 and 1992, the perfor mance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) with associated legumes, viz. greengram (Ph aseolus radiatus (L.) Millsp.], blackgram (Phaseolus mango L.) and pigeonpe a (Cajanus cajan L.) was studied under different inter- and mixed cropping systems. In rice, the number of effective tlllers/m(2), number of filled gr ains/panicle, 1,000-grain weight and grain yield increased when intercroppe d with greengram and blackgram and decreased when mixed cropping of rice pigeonpea was practiced. In associated greengram, blackgram and pigeonpea, the total number of branches/plant, number of filled pods/plant, number of seeds/ pod, 1,000-seed weight and seed yield increased in different intercr opping systems. The highest net returns and net return/rupee of investment were obtained from sole crop of pigeonpea. The relative crowding coefficien t (RCC) and competitive ratio (CR) values were always greater than unity wi th all the intercropping systems. The land-equivalent ratio (LER) and monet ary advantage IMA) were the highest with rice+greengram intercropping syste m at a higher level of fertility, whereas rice+pigeonpea intercropping syst em at a higher level of fertility showed the highest values of area-time eq uivalent ratio (ATER).