Revisiting Intercropping Indices in Pearl Millet-Pulse Intercropping System under Rainfed Condition

Background: In the rainfed conditions of India, which is characterised with low and erratic rainfall conditions, growing of sole crop is often risky and results in low productivity. In this kind of circumstances, intensification and crop diversification strategies are crucial for achieving higher yields. Intercropping, which is the practice of growing several compatible crop species on the same piece of land at the same time, is a workable strategy to stabilize the production of rainfed crops. Methods: A field experiment was carried out to evaluate suitable intercrop in pearl millet-based cropping system under two different row ratios, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore during rabi season of 2022-23. The experiment consisted of seven treatment combination which were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Result: The results of the experiment proved that the pearl millet + blackgram (4:1) intercropping may provide viable intensification options, especially for smallholder farmers.