Effect of finger millet -black gram intercropping at different row ratios on weed dynamics and productivity in the Eastern Plateau and Hill Zone of India

Cultural weed management through intercropping helps in weed suppression, resulting in improved crop productivity. Cereal-legume intercropping is the eco-friendly approach to suppress weeds and improve crop performance and soil fertility. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was carried out at the campus of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Ranchi, Jharkhand during the monsoon season of 2023 and 2024 in a randomized block design with three replications using eight cropping systems. Results revealed that sole black gram ensured highest weed control efficiency (55.9%), followed by intercropping system of finger millet and black gram (1:2) (49.5%). Finger millet + black gram (1:2) and sole black gram recorded higher growth attributes and yields of finger millet and black gram, respectively. However, finger millet + black gram (1:2) also recorded high growth and yield attributes of black gram. System productivity was maximum in sole black gram (4730 kg/ha), followed by intercropping system of finger millet and black gram (1:2) (3900 kg/ha), along with protein content (23.4%) and consequently, the production economics (net return: Rupees 56830/ha; benefit: cost of 1.90). It also resulted in the highest residual soil fertility. Additionally, the combined land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.44) was higher in the 1:2 intercropping system of finger millet and black gram, indicating a 44% yield advantage. Thus, in Eastern Plateau and Hill Zone of India, an intercropping system of finger millet and black gram (1:2) is recommended for cultivation in monsoon to achieve high weed suppression, crop productivity, and economic profitability.