Impact of front-line demonstration of Redgram + foxtail millet intercropping under rain-fed situation in Alkod village of Raichur District

A front line demonstration on production potential of redgram + foxtail millet intercropping system under rainfed conditions in Raichur district of Karnataka state carried out in farmers fields during 2018-19 and 2019-20 under ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur. Intercropping of foxtail millet and Redgram was sown with an objective that foxtail millet may be an alternative sustainable cropping system to sole redgram in rainfed conditions to improve the yields and income of the farmers at Alkod Village in the Raichur district. The average redgram yield was 9.73 q/ha during 2018-19 and 10.7 q/ha during 2019-20. The mean increase of equivalent yield of demo is 30% and 45% during 2018-19 and 2019-2020 respectively over the check. The higher gross (Rs. 56,701 and Rs 60,921) and net returns (Rs. 31748 and Rs. 32853) in redgram + foxtail millet intercropping over check during 2018-19 and 2019-2020 respectively, sole redgram might be higher due to redgram + foxtail millet intercropping yield, lower cost of cultivation during the study year. The mean benefit cost ratio was (1:2.27 and 1: 2.17) and (1: 2.05 and 1: 2.04) for demo and check during 2018-19 and 2019-2020 respectively.

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Intercropping Growth SynergyClose ×

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Main Crop Yield (q/h) / Check and Demo: 2018-19 vs 2019-20Close ×

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Demo and Net Returns (Rs/ha) / Check: 2018-19 vs 2019-20Close ×

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Introduction

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) is India's second most important grain legume crop after chickpea, It occupies 1.76% of the gross cropped area and 22% of the total pulse production in India. It is also an abundant source of minerals and vitamins (Saxena et al, 2002) [5] . Floral decoctions are used for bronchitis, cough and cold, pneumonia, dysentery and menstrual disorders (Singh & Kaur, 2012) [6] . The active constituents in the leaves and seeds are alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and tannins (Aja et al, 2015) [1] In addition, Cajanus cajan is a natural barrier to soil erosion and a biological factory for fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. The plant also has ethnomedicinal uses. The infusion of leaves is used to treat anaemia, hepatitis, diabetes, urinary infections, yellow fever and other skin irritations (especially in females). In India, pigeonpea ranks second in both area and production, next only to chickpea. It is grown over an area of 3.38 m ha producing nearly 2.88 mt with an average productivity of 640 kg ha -1 (Indiastat, 2018) [2] . It is an important component of the country's agro-ecological systems, mostly intercropped with cereals, pulses, commercial crops, oilseeds, and millets. Pigeon pea is a prominent pulse crop in Karnataka, produced on 0.73 million hectares with a production of 0.47 million tonnes. However, production (651 kg/ha) is significantly lower than the national average (729 kg/ha) due to several abiotic and biotic restrictions. Pigeon pea is a rainfed crop with various traits that allow it to flourish in severe climates. It adapts well to both single-crop and intercrop circumstances (with cereals, millets, oilseeds and pulses) increasing system productivity and net income for small and marginal farmers. It occupies 1.76 % of the gross cropped area and 22 % of the total pulse production in India. In India, pigeonpea ranks second in both area and production, next only to chickpea. It is grown over an area of 3.38 m ha producing nearly 2.88 m t with an average productivity.

In low-input agriculture systems in tropical regions, intercropping techniques are now widely used. Intercropping in some crops can cause efficient land use, which is an important component of sustainable agriculture (Karlidag, 2009) [3] . Furthermore, cropping of several plant species together may reduce the adverse effects of a monoculture and thus can be employed in ecological agricultural systems. We think that the ridge of agricultural fields can be utilized in intercropping systems. Millets are commonly referred to as "nutrigrains" due to their high mineral content and B-complex vitamins. Small millets are considered "climate resilient" crops in Indian agriculture due to their early maturity, better yields due to the C4 plant type and ability to yield even in poor soil under low rainfall and poor management circumstances. Small millets contribute significantly to the nation's food and fodder security. Foxtail millet and barnyard millet have the lowest glycemic index of the minor millets. These grains, termed "wonder grains," have shown beneficial health advantages for diabetics. Foxtail millet can be sown when most other crops have already been planted. In Karnataka, foxtail millet is generally called as navane. It can be cultivated on dry land even in extreme weather conditions when other crops cannot be grown. It is also known as famine reserve and is widely planted in low-rainfall areas. Foxtail millet is a major crop in India's arid and semi-arid regions. It has long been a staple meal in South India. It is a warm season crop that is normally cultivated in late spring and harvested for grain around 75-90 days. Enhancing the productivity of the crop assumes specific significance in India mainly to combat protein malnutrition as it is the main source of protein to the predominant vegetarian population. The main concept of intercropping is to get increased total productivity per unit area and time, besides equitable and judicious utilization of land resources and farming inputs including labour. One of the main reasons for higher yields in intercropping is that the component crops are able to use growth resources differently and make better overall use of growth resources than grown separately (Willey, 1979) [7] . Besides, the growth of pigeonpea is very slow in the early stages, during which time the more rapidly growing short duration millets like foxtail millet, pearl millet and sorghum can be conveniently intercropped to utilize the natural resources most efficiently in the early stages of pigeonpea.

Materials and Methods

The present study was carried out by ICAR-KVK, Raichur in Alkod village of Devadurga taluk, Raichur district based on the FLD's conducted from 2018-19 and 2019-20 in the farmer's field in different locations of the district. Total 5 demonstrations were conducted on Redgram intercropping with Millets in alkod village for two continuous years. Each frontline demonstration was laid out and the critical inputs were applied as per the package of practices while adjacent 0.4 ha was taken as control for comparison of farmer's practice. The selection of farmers was done, on basis of survey by ICAR-KVK, Raichur and imparted trainings to the selected farmers on agronomic and package of practices in Millets intercropping with Redgram. Field days were also conducted in each cluster to show the results of front-line demonstrations to the farmers of the same and neighboring villages. The yield and economic performance of front-line demonstrations, the output was collected from FLDs as well as local control plots from all selected farmers of Millets intercropping with Redgram for analysis and interpretation of the data. The data is interpreted and presented in terms of percentage and the qualitative data were converted into quantitative form and expressed in terms of per cent increased yield. Finally, the grain yield, cost of cultivation, net returns with benefit cost ratio was worked out. An average of cost of cultivation, yield and net returns of different farmers was analyzed by the formula. Average = [F1+ F2+F3. . . . . . . . . . . .. Fn]/N; F1 = Farmer; N = No. of Farmers. In the present study, technology index was operationally defined as technical feasibility obtained due to implementation of front-line demonstrations.

Results and Discussions

To minimize the risk to bring stability, intercropping systems were demonstrated, in Alkod and Koppar village of Devadurga taluk, Raichur district based on the FLD's conducted from 2018-19 and 2019-20. The high yielding hybrid of redgram (TS3R) and Foxtail millet (H-49) recorded a grain yield of redgram 12.7 and 15.7 (q/ha) for two consecutive years respectively and a grain yield of foxtail millet was 6.75 and 7.05 (kg/ha) for two consecutive years respectively. Demo plot yield was 30 % increased when compared to check in main crop and in intercrop.

Economic indices of demo and check.

The results revealed that, the maximum plant height was seen in demo for two years i.e 152.8 cms and 156.4 cms respectively with an average mean of 154.6 cms. While, higher yield was noticed in demo of main crop for two years that is 12.7 q/h and 15.7 q/h respectively with an average mean of 14.2 over check and mean increase of yield of demo was 30.66 and 45.15 respectively for two years (Table 1). However, the maximum yield of inter crop for two years (2018-19 and 2019-20) was seen in demo plot i.e 6.75 kg/ha and 7.05 kg/ha over check respectively same results was seen by Praveen et al., (2022) [4] . The plant height is not significantly affected due to introduction of foxtail millet as an intercrop in redgram. Foxtail millet was found to be an effective intercrop combination over sole crop redgram. Intercropping system of redgram and foxtail millet gave net income of Rs. 23920/-and 31748/-for the year 2018-19 and Rs. 25186/-and 32853/-for the year 2019-20m (Table 2) in 5+5 farmer's field. The proven intercropping systems based on the experiences are being scaled up by ICAR-KVK, Raichur through front line demonstrations similar results was obtained by Praveen et al., (2022) [4] .

Year	Cost of Cultivation	—	Gross Returns (Rs/ha)	—	Net Returns (Rs/ha)	—	BCR	—
	Check	Demo	Check	Demo	Check	Demo	Check	Demo
2018-19	22784.0	24953.0	46704.2	56701.2	23920.2	31748.2	2.05	2.27
2019-20	24242.0	28068.0	49428.4	60921.2	25186.4	32853.2	2.04	2.17
Mean	23513.0	26510.5	48066.3	58811.2	24553.3	32300.7	2.0	2.2

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Table 2Close ×

Average economic indices of demo and check during year 2018-19 and 2019-2020.

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Original paper tableSource PDF · page 3 ↗

Year	Plant Height (cms)	—	Main Crop Yield (q/h)	—	Inter Crop Yield (Kg/ha)	—	% inc.
	Check	Demo	Check	Demo	Check	Demo
2018-19	153.1	152.8	9.7	12.7	0.00	6.75	30.66
2019-20	148.0	156.4	10.7	15.7	0.00	7.05	45.15
Mean	150.5	154.6	10.2	14.2	0.00	6.90	37.90

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Table 1Close ×

Average plant height, main crop yield and inter crop yields of demo and check during 2018-19 and 2019-2020

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Original paper tableSource PDF · page 2 ↗

Conclusion

The farmers harvested good crop yield from intercropping of high yielding redgram with foxtail millet compared to sole cropping and obtained highest yield and % increase in yield and net returns. While net returns of Rs. 31748/-and Rs. 32853/-for two consecutive years with benefit cost ratio of 2.27 and 2.17 respectively. The farmers benefited with of high yielding redgram intercropped with foxtail millet, which was introduced as alternate to crop to maize and cotton. ICAR-KVK, Raichur conducted field days and showed the results to other farmers in the village.

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2. Indiastat. 2018. Online databases. In: http://www.indiastat.com.
3. Karlidag H, Yildirim E. Strawberry intercropping with vegetables for proper utilization of space and resources. J. Sustain. Agric. 2009;33:107-116. doi: 10.1080/10440040802587462.
4. Praveen N, et al., Impact of front-line demonstration of millets + redgram intercropping under rain-fed situation in rangareddy district. The pharma innovation journal. 2022;11(7):4194-4197.
5. Saxena KB, Kumar RV, Rao PV. Pigeonpea nutrition and its improvement. Quality Improvement in Field Crops. Food Products Press. 2002;5:227-260.
6. Singh B, Kaur S. Review of Cajanus cajan as important medicinal plant. Int. J. Nat. Prod. Sci. 2012;1:140.
7. Willey RW. Intercropping, its importance and research needs. Part-1. Competition and yield advantages. Field crops Abstr. 1979;32:1-10.