Evaluation of barnyard millet intercropping systems in semi-arid zone of Hisar

A field experiment was conducted at CCSHAU, Hisar during Kharif seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 in three times replicated randomized block design. The experiment was comprised of thirteen barnyard millet-based inter- cropping systems in replacement series with greengram and sesame as intercrop with row ratio of 5:1, 4:2, 3:3, 2:4, 1:5 in addition to their sole crops. Results revealed that the barnyard millet intercropped with greengram was found superior over sole barnyard millet in terms of different intercropping indices. But, barnyard millet intercrop with sesame was found uneconomical. The barnyard millet + greengram (1:5) recorded the highest land equivalent ratio (LER; 1.25), barnyard millet equivalent yield (BMEY; 2977 kg/ha), land use efficiency (LUE; 119.4%), area time equivalent ratio (ATER; 1.14), relative crowding coefficient (RCC; 1.79), monitory advantage index (MAI; ` 10,756/ha), system productivity index (SPI; 2903), intercropping advantage index (IAI; 34.6), net return (` 23,111/ha), benefit:cost (1.42) and per day return (` 300.3) which was closely followed by barnyard millet + greengram (4:2). Hence, barnyard millet + greengram (1:5) intercropping system is a suitable option for achieving higher monetary returns and resource use efficiency as compared to sole barnyard millet under semiarid region of India.