Productivity and economics of Solanum viarum-based intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted during 1995-96 and 1996-97 to study the pe rformance of various intercrops in Solanum viarum Dunal-based intercropping system and find out the effect of intercrops on yield of main crop vis-a-v is economics of the cropping system. The mean dry berry yield of 3.93 tonne s/ha obtained with S. viarum + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Ta ubert] system was more than yields realized in pure crop of S. viarum (3.63 tonnes/ha). Highest base crop equivalents were also realized with this cro pping system (5.54 tonnes/ha), followed by 4.40 tonnes with S. viarum + Fre nch bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), 4.16 tonnes with S. viarum + soybean [Gly cine max (L.) Merr.], 3.83 tonnes with greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) an d 3.73 tonnes with S. viarum + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. Mean maximum land-equivalent ratio (1.75), net income (Rs 25,581) and income-equ ivalent ratio (1.61) were also found with S. viarum + clusterbean system.