Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
Syed Abul Hassan Hussainy and Vaidyanathan R

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2017 and 2018 to study the influence of intercropping under different levels of irrigation on the performance and nutrient dynamics of groundnut. Groundnut intercrops involving castor, blackgram, sesame and pearlmillet recorded higher plant height, dry matter production, yield attributes and equivalent intercrop yields under irrigation scheduling of IW/CPE ratio of 0.75. The Relative production efficiency favoured the intercropping system over the sole cropping system with values varying from19% to 99.6% over the conventional sole cropping system. Higher relative production efficiency was realised with castor as it outperformed as a companion crop but suppressed the groundnut yields. Application of water at IW/CPE ratio of 0.75 comprising 7 irrigations (excl. sprouting and life irrigation) enhanced the productivity in terms of equivalent intercrop yield as well as sole crop yield.