Synergistic effect of pulse intercropping on productivity pattern of little millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) under rainfed condition

In recent years, the significance of millets in India has been increasingly acknowledged due to their nutrient-rich quality, leading them to be recognized as "nutri-cereals." These hardy crops thrive in harsh climatic conditions and nutrient-deficient soils, making them crucial in the condition of climate change. With diminishing land resources and declining soil fertility, efficient cropping systems are essential for maximizing productivity. Intercropping, particularly the integration of legumes with millets, has demonstrated higher economic returns, increased crop equivalent yield, and reduced cultivation costs compared to sole cropping systems. This study was conducted at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, during the 2023-2024 season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) comprising eleven treatments and three replications. The treatments involved intercropping little millet with various pulses, including black gram, green gram, red gram, cowpea, and Bengal gram, at 4:1 and 6:1 row proportions, along with a control (sole little millet crop). The results revealed that little millet intercropped with black gram (4:1) (T2) and green gram (4:1) (T4) exhibited superior growth and physiological attributes at harvest, yielding 1326 & 4109 kg ha⁻¹ and 1298 & 4021 kg ha⁻¹ of grain and straw, respectively. These intercropping combinations proved advantageous due to enhanced resource utilization, higher yield benefits, and greater economic returns compared to other treatments.