MSc

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