PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF LITTLE MILLET ( Panicum sumatrense L.) BASED INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS
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Date
2021-10-05
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ACHARYA NG RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Abstract
field experiment entitled “Production potential of little millet
( Panicum sumatrense L.) based intercropping systems” was conducted during kharif, 2019 on sandy loam soils of dryland farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and four replications. The treatments comprised of Sole little millet (T1), Sole greengram (T2 ), Sole cowpea (T3), Sole cluster bean (T4), Sole groundnut (T5), little millet + greengram (4:2) (T6), little millet + cowpea (4:2) (T7), little millet + cluster bean (4:2) (T8) and little millet + groundnut (4:2) (T9).
Growth parameters and yield attributes of little millet viz., plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, number of tillers m-2, number of panicles m-2, panicle length, panicle weight, grain weight panicle-1 and thousand grain weight were significantly higher with sole little millet. Among the different intercropping systems, all the above growth and yield attributes were significantly higher with little millet + greengram (4:2) (T6) followed by little millet + cowpea (4:2). While, all these parameters were found to be at their lowest with little millet + cluster bean (4:2) intercropping system.
The number of days taken to 50 per cent flowering and maturity of little millet were maximum with sole little millet. Regarding the intercropping systems, little millet + cluster bean resulted in early flowering and maturity of little millet, whereas delayed flowering and maturity was observed with little millet + greengram (4:2) intercropping systems. Thousand grain weight was not significantly influenced by various intercropping systems.
The highest grain and straw yield of little millet were associated with sole little millet. Among the different intercropping systems tested, significantly higher grain and straw yields of little millet were observed with little millet + greengram (4:2) followed by little millet + cowpea (4:2) (T7) and lower grain and straw yields of little millet were registered with little millet + cluster bean (4:2). Growth parameters, yield attributes, pod and haulm yields of intercrops viz., greengram, cowpea, cluster bean and groundnut were maximum when grown as sole crops in comparison to intercropping of legumes with little millet in 4:2 row ratio in the order of descendancy.
The Land equivalent ratio (LER), Area time equivalent ratio (ATER) and Income equivalent ratio (IER) were the highest with little millet + greengram (4:2) which was however, on par with the other intercropping systems and the lowest were registered with little millet + cluster bean (4:2). Significantly higher little millet grain equivalent yield (LMGEY) was registered with little millet + groundnut (4:2) followed by little millet + clusterbean (4:2) and the lower values were recorded with little millet + cowpea (4:2) which was comparable with little millet + greengram (4:2).
The gross returns, net returns and benefit:cost ratio were significantly higher with sole groundnut, which was superior to other cropping systems. Among the intercropping systems, the higher gross and net returns as well as benefit:cost ratio were realized with little millet + groundnut (4:2) intercropping system. Sole little millet recorded significantly the lower gross and net returns as well as benefit:cost ratio.
The present investigation revealed that practising little millet + greengram (4:2) intercropping system obtained higher yields during kharif season. However, considering the economic returns, little millet + groundnut (4:2) was more remunerative intercropping system for realising higher gross, net returns as well as benefit:cost ratio.
In conclusion, it is inferred that little millet + groundnut (4:2) intercropping system was proved to be the best for increasing the productivity and profitability during kharif season on sandy loam soils of Southern Agro-climatic zone of Andhra Pradesh.
Description
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF LITTLE MILLET ( Panicum sumatrense L.) BASED INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS