Weed dynamics, yield and economics in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)+ pulses intercropping system under rainfed condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in red sandy loam soils during the rainy season 2000 and 2001 at Regional Research Station, Paiyur, to study weed dynamics, yield and economics in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]+pulses intercropping system under rainfed condition. The treatments consisted of recommended practice of sorghum (pure crop) with atrazine @ 0.25 kg a.i./ha and sorghum intercropped with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.), and greengram (P. radiatus L.) without and with pre-emergence herbicide metolachlor 1.0 kg a.i./ha. Application of atrazine @ 0.25 kg a.i./ha in pure crop of sorghum and metolachlor @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha in intercropping system controlled the weeds effectively compared to no-herbicide application. Application of metolachlor increased the mean sorghum grain yield by 54, 48 and 47% and pulses grain yield by 48, 38 and 27% in sorghum+ cowpea, sorghum+blackgram and sorghum+greengram intercropping, respectively, compared to no-herbicide application. The higher net income (Rs 10,759) and benefit : cost ratio (3.16) were recorded in sorghum+greengram with metolachlor application than other intercropping system.