Effects of Genotype in Cereal/Pigeonpea Intercropping on the Alfisols of the Semi-Arid Tropics of India

SUMMARY In a 2 row cereal: 1 row pigeonpea intercropping system, four sorghum and two millet genotypes were examined with four of pigeonpea on a medium-deep Alfisol during 1978 and 1979. The cereals usually produced a large proportion of their sole crop yields. Millets matured relatively early which allowed large yields of later-maturing pigeonpea. A tall millet gave the best total Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 1.78 and most monetary returns. Early and/or short sorghums produced large LERs (1.51–1.59) and combinations with an early hybrid also gave good returns. A tall late sorghum gave poor yields of both components, smallest total LER (1.30), and little return. Pigeonpea intercrop yields became larger as the maturity difference between the cereal and pigeonpea increased. A combination of a short, early but large-yielding cereal with a pigeonpea that is as late as possible without incurring undue risk of moisture stress may be ideal.