Effect of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) intercropping on growth, yield and economics of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under rainfed conditions

M. S. BINDU CHOWDARY; P. PRIYA; P. ASHOKA; G. R. RAJAKUMAR; ABDULKHADAR BIRADAR

doi:10.61475/JFS.2025.v38i3.08

M. S. BINDU CHOWDARY Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
P. PRIYA Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
P. ASHOKA Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
G. R. RAJAKUMAR Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
ABDULKHADAR BIRADAR Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Dharwad - 580 005, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61475/JFS.2025.v38i3.08

Keywords: Buckwheat, Intercropping, Pigeonpea, Rainfed, Row ratios

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Hanumanamatti, Karnataka, during kharif 2024 to evaluate the influence of different buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) intercropping row arrangementson growth, yield and economics of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under rainfed conditions. The treatmentscomprised of sole pigeonpea and pigeonpea intercropped with buckwheat in 2:1, 2:2, 3:1 and 4:2 row proportions. Resultsshowed that sole pigeonpea achieved significantly higher seed (1,393 kg ha-1) and haulm yields (3,666 kg ha-1). Amongintercropping systems, 3:1 row proportion recorded significantly greater pigeonpea equivalent yield (1,597 kg ha-1), grossreturn (`1,25,542 ha-1), net return (`82,993 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (2.95). These findings highlight the effectiveness of3:1 row arrangement for maximizing yield and economic returns in pigeonpea-buckwheat intercropping system underrainfed conditions during kharif in alfisols.