Studies on spatial arrangement in sorghum-legume intercropping systems

SUMMARY Field experiments on spatial arrangements in intercropping systems were conducted under rainfed conditions in north-western India during 1975 and 1976. In these experiments sorghum yield increased by 21·6, 20·3, 29·2, 36·5 and 14·;2% when grown in association with the legumes greengrarn, blackgram, grain and fodder cow peas and groundnut respectively when compared with sorghum alone. Spatial arrangements had only marginal effect on sorghum yield but the yields of all the intercrops were appreciably affected. Paired rows with two rows of intercrop in 90 cm spacing resulted in maximum yield of all the intercrops. The land equivalent ratio (LER) was also influenced considerably by different intercrops and spatial arrangements. Planting of sorghum in paired rows having two rows of grain cow pea within 90 cm spacing gave maximum LER in both the years; however, net returns were maximum with fodder cow pea in same spatial arrangement.