TY  - BOOK
AU  - Sabitha, B
AU  - Shalini Pillai, P (Guide)
TI  - Production potential of sesamum -cowpea intercropping as influenced by row configuration and nutrient management 
U1  - 630 
PY  - 2024///
CY  - Vellayani
PB  - Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture
KW  - Agronomy
KW  - Production
KW  - Sesamum -cowpea
KW  - Intercropping
KW  - Nutrient management
N1  - MSc
N2  - The study entitled “Production potential of sesamum - cowpea intercropping as 
influenced by row configuration and nutrient management” was undertaken at College 
of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2021-2023. The objectives were to assess the 
productivity and biological efficiency of intercropping sesamum with cowpea at 
varying row ratios and nutrient management, to evaluate the effect of intercropping on 
nutrient balance sheet of the soil, and to work out the economics of the system.
The field experiment was carried out at the Instructional Farm, College of 
Agriculture, Vellayani, from February 2023 to May, 2023. The experiment was laid out 
in randomised block design with 3 x 2 x 2 treatments, replicated thrice. The treatments 
comprised combinations of three levels of N (n1-100 % RDN, n2-75 % RDN, n3-50 % 
RDN), two row ratios (r1-4:2, r2-6:3) and application of AMF (a1-without AMF, a2-with 
AMF). Sole crops of sesamum and cowpea raised for computing the intercropping 
indices. The varieties used for the study were Thilak (ACV-3) and PGCP-6 respectively 
for sesamum and cowpea. The fertilizer recommendation followed for sesamum was 
30:15:30 kg NPK ha-1
and that for cowpea was 20:30:10 kg NPK ha-1
for cowpea. All 
other cultural practices were carried out as per the Kerala Agricultural University 
Package of Practices (KAU POP) recommendations.
The treatment, n1 (100 % RDN) resulted in the highest dry matter production 
(7375 kg ha-1
) of sesamum, and higher dry matter production (DMP) (7740 kg ha-1
) 
of cowpea which was comparable with n2 (7150 kg ha-1
). The treatment, n3 (50 % 
RDN) resulted in higher root depth (19.25 cm) of sesamum. The row ratio, 4:2 (r1) 
recorded the highest leaf area per plant (775.33 cm2
) and LAI (2.10) in sesamum at 30 
DAS. Sesamum planted at 6:3 row ratio (r2) recorded the highest root volume of (8.29 
cm3
). In cowpea, the highest leaf area per plant (849.01 cm2
) and LAI (2.26) were 
recorded in the absence of AMF (a1), at 45 DAS. The treatment, a2 (with AMF), resulted 
in more primary branches (3.42) in sesamum at harvest. Among the N x R x A 
interactions, n1r1a2 resulted in higher DMP (9286 kg ha-1
) in sesamum.
The treatment, n1 resulted in significantly the higher stover yield (3053 kg ha-1
) 
of sesamum. In cowpea, the treatment, n1 recorded significantly higher hundred seed 
weight (12.49g), haulm yield (5447 kg ha-1
), and harvest index (HI) (0.23) and the 
highest number of pods per plant (34.4) and seed yield (1647 kg ha-1
). The same 
treatment recorded more number of capsules per plant (77.7), the highest seed weight 
per plant (9.1 g) and HI (0.32) in sesamum. Sesamum exhibited more number of 
capsules per plant (66.42) and the highest seed weight per plant (8.36 g) at 6:3 row ratio 
(r2). The treatment without AMF (a1) resulted in the highest haulm yield (5369 kg ha-1
) 
of cowpea, while and treatments with AMF (a2) resulted in the highest seed weight per 
plant (8.44 g) of sesamum, and test weight (12.22 g) and HI (0.24) of cowpea. Among 
the N x R x A interactions, n2r2a1 (75% RDN at 6:3 row ratio without AMF) resulted in 
higher seed weight per plant (10.7 g) and n2r2a2 resulted in more number of capsules 
per plant (87.5) in sesamum.
The higher land equivalent ratio (2.40), relative crowding coefficient (66.18), 
sesamum equivalent yield (1801 kg ha-1
) and percentage yield difference (1.48) were 
recorded with n1r2a1 (100 % RDN at 6:3 row ratio without AMF). Irrespective of the 
treatments cowpea showed higher aggressivity than sesamum. While the treatment 
combinations, n2r2a1 and n3r2a1 recorded the higher competition ratio for sesamum 
(0.61) and cowpea (3.27) respectively, n3r1a1 recorded the higher competition index 
(0.14).
The treatment, n1 and the treatment combination, n1r1a2 resulted in the higher 
uptake of P (19.66 kg ha-1
, 24.85 kg ha-1
) and K (44.84 kg ha-1
, 62 kg ha-1
) in sesamum. 
Higher N uptake was noted with n2 and n2r2a1 (84.58 kg ha-1
, 102.3 kg ha-1
). Among 
the levels of N, n1 (100% RDN) resulted in the higher N (242.35 kg ha-1
), P (35.35 kg 
ha-1
) and K (111.73 kg ha-1
) uptake of cowpea. Potassium uptake of cowpea was the 
highest (114.60 kg ha-1
) without AMF (a1). The NPK uptake of sesamum + cowpea 
were higher at 100 per cent RDN (324.51 kg N ha-1
, 54.98 kg P ha-1
, 156.59 kg K ha1
). The higher K uptake of the intercropping system (153.94 kg ha-1
) was noted in the 
absence of AMF (a1).
The highest soil available P was recorded with the treatment n1 (70.53 kg ha-1
) 
and the interaction n1a2 (72.55 kg ha-1
). The treatments, r1 and a2 resulted in the highest 
available N (327.45 kg ha-1
, 329.57 kg ha-1
) and P (67.08 kg ha-1
, 68.98 kg ha-1
). Among 
N x R x A interactions, n2r1a2, n1r1a2 and n2r2a1 resulted in the higher net gain in 
available N (365.32 kg ha-1
), P (40.92 kg ha-1
), and K (212.37 kg ha-1
) respectively.
The highest partial factor productivity (PFP) of sesamum (37.28 kg kg-1
) and 
cowpea (40.25 kg kg-1
) and were observed with n2 and n1 respectively, whereas, the 
higher PFP (68.84 kg kg-1
) of sesamum + cowpea was observed with n2.
The treatment, n2 (50% RDN) resulted in the higher net income (₹29,7256 ha-1
) 
and benefit cost ratio (3.14). Among the first order interactions, n1r2, r2a1 and n2a2
recorded the higher net income (₹29,4138 ha-1
, ₹26,0133 ha-1
and ₹29,5137 ha-1
) and 
benefit cost ratio (3.28, 3.00 and 3.27). The monetary equivalent ratio of sesamum + 
cowpea was higher (133.08) with the treatment combination, n1r2a1.
The results of the present study revealed the potential of sesamum + cowpea 
intercropping system to become productive and efficient. Irrespective of the treatments, 
the intercropping system resulted in positive nutrient balance sheet. Considering the 
sesamum equivalent yield, land equivalent ratio, percentage yield difference and 
economics, sesamum + cowpea at 6: 3 row ratio with recommended dose of nutrients 
as per the KAU POP (n1r2a1) could be a viable option for higher productivity and 
profitability
ER  -