Evaluating the performance of millet-based pulse intercropping on weed dynamics, nutrient uptake and productivity of little millet (<i>Panicum sumatrense</i> L.) under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore during the season of rabi 2023–2024 to evaluate the effect of pulse intercropping on productivity of little millet under rainfed condition. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) consisting of eleven treatments and three replications. The treatment includes T1-little millet sole crop, T2-little millet + black gram (4:1), T3-little millet + black gram (6:1), T4-little millet + green gram (4:1), T5-little millet + green gram (6:1), T6-little millet + redgram (4:1), T7-little millet + redgram (6:1), T8-little millet + cowpea (4:1), T9-little millet + cowpea (6:1), T10-little millet + bengal gram (4:1) and T11-little millet + bengal gram (6:1). It was found that the higher plant height (34.2, 127.6 & 133.6 cm) and DMP (2409, 5463 & 5943 kg ha-1) was observed in little millet + black gram (4:1) (T2) at 30, 60 DAS and at harvest stage which was also recorded maximum and equivalent grain and straw yield of 1326 and 4109 kg ha-1. The same intercropping ratio recorded higher microbial population. However, little millet + cowpea (4:1) (T8) registered lower weed density (8.4, 5.9 & 4.5 m-2) and dry weight (9.0, 5.9 and 4.5 g m-2) with higher weed control efficiency at all the stages of observation. Comparing different treatments, the NPK uptake of base crop was higher in little millet + black gram (6:1) (T3) (40.8, 5.7 and 33.5 kg ha-1) and the NPK uptake of intercrop was higher in little millet + cowpea (4:1) (T8) (5.7, 1.6 and 3.6 kg ha-1).