Weed control studies in pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum)pigeonpea (Cajanuscajan) intercropping system under rainfed condition

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.