Enhancing Rainfed Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L) Productivity and Economics through Organic Inputs and Legume Intercropping

Abstract— This study explores the impact of combining farmyard manure (FYM) with legume intercropping on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) yield, and economics under rainfed conditions in Arunachal Pradesh. The experiment included 7 treatments that is T1 (control), T2 (FYM6t +Intercropping 2:1), T3 (FYM6t+intercropping 2:2), T4 (FYM7t+Intercropping 2:1), T5 (FYM7t +Intercropping 2:2), T6 (FYM8t + Intercropping 2:1) and T7 (FYM 8t +, Intercropping 2:2). The layout used was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replications. Results showed that FYM at 8 t/ha with a 2:1 sesame-to-black gram intercropping pattern (T6) recorded highest yield attributes of number of capsule per plant (33.00), number of seed per capsule (25.33), capsule length (3.07 cm), test weight (2.90 g), seed yield (0.39t/ha), straw yield (1.29t/ha) and harvest index (22.57%) as compared to all other treatments. It was also observed that the treatment T6 (FYM8t + Intercropping 2:1) recorded highest cost of cultivation (₹33,000), gross return (₹117,000), net returns (₹84,000/ha), and B.C ratio (3.55) as compared to all other treatments. This study confirms that integrating FYM and legume intercropping improves sesame performance while supporting ecological sustainability.