Super Early Pigeonpea Strip Cropping System- Spatial and Temporal Effects on Yield and Economics

Field experiment was conducted for two years during kharif 2019 to 2020 at Agricultural Research Station, Anantapuramu under arid Alfisols located in the scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh at latitude of 14°41′ N, longitude of 77°40′ E and Altitude of 350 meters above mean sea level. The study was conducted in red sandy loam soil which is neutral in reaction (pH of 7.5), low in organic carbon (0.37%), low in available nitrogen (241 kg ha-1), medium in available potassium (365 kg ha-1), and high in soil available Phosphorus (21 kg ha-1). The experiment consists of three main plot treatments viz., times of sowing and eight subplots viz., cropping systems in split plot Design, replicated thrice. The data collected for all the parameters were subjected to statistical analysis. The results in the two years of the study were indicated that among the different times of sowing significantly higher pigeonpea equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were registered with the first fortnight of July (D2) sowing during both the years of study. Among the different cropping systems examined, pigeonpea (short duration) + foxtailmillet strip cropping system (6:4) (75%:25%) (C6) registered higher significant pigeonpea equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio. Significant interaction was witnessed with first fortnight of July and short duration pigeonpea + foxtailmillet strip cropping system (6:4) (75%:25%) (D2C6) which was significantly superior over the rest of the treatments with respect to pigeonpea equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio during the two years of investigation. Keywords: Super early pigeonpea, Times of sowing, Cropping systems, Pigeonpea equivalent yield, Cost Economics