Evaluation of Productivity and Yield Indices in Soybean Based Millet Strip Intercropping System under Broad Bed Conditions
Bhola Ram *
Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, India.
M. M. Ganvir
AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Maharashtra), India.
A. B. Chorey
Department of Agronomy, AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Maharashtra), India.
A. R. Tupe
AICRP on Agrometeorology, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, India.
V. V. Gabhane
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, India.
R.S. Patode
AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Maharashtra), India.
Seema M. Nemade
Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, India.
A.S. Bayskar
Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, India.
Y. Nadekar
Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, India.
V. Yadav
Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2023–24 at AICRP on Dryland Agriculture, Dr. PDKV, Akola, to assess the growth, biomass accumulation, and productivity of soybean intercropped with minor millets (foxtail, finger, and barnyard). The study was conducted in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and replicated thrice Among intercropping systems, soybean + foxtail millet (2:2) produced higher seed yield (1222 kg ha⁻¹), while soybean + finger millet (2:2) had greater straw (1646 kg ha⁻¹) and biological yield (2756 kg ha⁻¹). The intercropping Soybean + foxtail millet (4:4) exhibited higher land equivalent ration (1.25), relative crowding coefficient (2.94) and balance aggressivity (0.52, 0.48) highlighting it as the most productive and efficient combination under dryland conditions.
Keywords: Soybean, minor millets, strip intercropping, land equivalent ratio, dryland agriculture