Production potential and economic feasibility of blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) + sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) intercropping under rainfed ecosystems of Jammu

Abstract

An investigation was conducted at Advance Centre for Rainfed Agriculture, Rakh Dhiansar, SKUAST-Jammu during kharif season of 2015. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The nine treatments viz. sole blackgram, sole sesame, blackgram + sesame (1 row of sesame in 2 rows of blackgram) additive series, blackgram + sesame (1:1) replacement series, black + sesame (3:1) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (5:1) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (1:3) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (1:5) replacement series and blackgram + sesame (seed mix) were taken for study. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, slightly acidic in reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The experimental results revealed that among the different intercropping systems blackgram + sesame (5:1) replacement series recorded highest blackgram equivalent yield (BEY) 7.01 q ha-1 which was statistically at par with blackgram + sesame (3:1) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (1:1) replacement series and blackgram + sesame (1:1) additive series and significantly higher than other intercropping systems. Also blackgram + sesamum (5:1) row ratio gave highest value of land equivalent ratio, aggressivity, area time equivalent ratio, net returns, B:C ratio, energy output, energy use efficiency, net energy return, energy productivity and energy intensity followed by blackgram + sesame (3:1) replacement series.