Performance of Sorghum based intercropping System in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka

Author: Sanjeevkumar M.S., Krishnamurthy D., Ramesha Y.M., Ajayakumar M.Y. and Narayana Rao K.

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Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2020-21 at Agricultural Research Station, Hagari on medium deep black soil to study the performance of sorghum based intercropping system in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. Growing of sole sorghum may not be profitable. Again, continuous sole cropping of sorghum may lead to decline in yield levels mainly because of conspicuous of nitrogen in particular and other nutrients in general. The lower productivity of rabi sorghum has been attributed to the fact that large area is under rainfed condition in addition to that cost of cultivation also increased due to shortage of labours, higher input prices and fluctuation of market price. In order to minimize the risk and maximize the net income for farmer, the suitable rabi crop selection as intercrop has to be done in sorghum based intercropping system. Keeping the above information in view, an investigation was carried out to study the suitable intercrop under rabi grain sorghum based cropping system in northern dry zone of Karnataka. The experiment consists of ten treatment combinations with five rabi crops (Sorghum, chickpea, safflower, linseed and coriander). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Significantly taller plants (264.8 cm), more number of leaves (5.9), higher leaf area (22.3 dm2 plant-1), dry matter production (98.7 g plant-1), number of grains earhead-1 (749.2), grain weight (27.5 g plant-1). Significantly higher grain, stover and biological yield (1670, 4401 and 6071 kg ha-1, respectively) of sorghum was recorded in sole sorghum followed by sorghum + bengalgram (2:1) (1301, 3374 and 4674 kg ha-1, respectively). Significantly lower stover and biological yield (2983 and 4130 kg ha-1) was noticed in sorghum + linseed (2:1). Gross returns, and benefit-cost ratio (Rs. 84636 ha-1, Rs. 49520 ha-1 and 2.41, respectively) were significantly higher with sorghum + bengalgram in 2:1. Significantly lower gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio (Rs. 26678 ha-1, Rs. 330 ha-1 and 1.01) were noticed in sole coriander.

Keywords

Chickpea, coriander, intercropping system, linseed, net returns, safflower, sorghum, sorghum equivalent yield, yield

Conclusion

The experimental findings indicated that there were marked variations in the productivity of sorghum was observed with different intercropping system. Based on the present investigation, it can be concluded that sorghum crop grown with bengalgram in 2:1 row proportion is most productive, economically viable, sustainable, remunerative and superior as they recorded higher net returns (Rs. 49520 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.41) compared to sole and other intercropping system.

References

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How to cite this article

Sanjeevkumar M.S., Krishnamurthy D., Ramesha Y.M., Ajayakumar M.Y. and Narayana Rao K. (2023). Performance of Sorghum based intercropping System in Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 1261-1265.