C. Pal et al., Weed control studies in pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum)pigeonpea (Cajanuscajan) intercropping system under rainfed condition, I J AGRON, 45(4), 2000, pp. 662-668
A field experiment was carried out during rainy (kharif) season of 1997 and
1998 to assess the production potential of intercropping of pearlmillet [P
ennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz] with pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan
(L.) Millsp.] in relation to various measures of weed control. Treatments c
onsisted of 3 intercropping systems (sole pearlmillet, sole pigeonpea and p
earlmillet + pigeonpea) and 4 methods of weed control (control hand-weeding
twice, fluchloralin @ 1.0 kg/ha and pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg/ha). Intercropp
ing did not influence the population and dry-matter accumulation by weeds.
Grain yield of pearlmillet did not vary significantly due to various method
s of cropping. However, sole pigeonpea gave significantly higher yield than
pearlmillet + pigeonpea intercropping. Highest total productivity in terms
of pearlmillet equivalent was recorded with pearlmillet + pigeonpea interc
ropping system. Weeding caused significant reduction in weed infestation an
d improvement in grain yield of pearlmillet and pigeonpea and total product
ivity compared with the control. Best results were achieved with hand-weedi
ng twice closely followed by fluchloralin @ 1.0 kg/ha.