Chemical weed control in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) intercropped with short-duration grain legumes

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 1988 and 1989, having intercropping systems and weed-control treatments in randomized block design. Intercrop cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] effectively suppressed weed growth, arrested nutrient depletion and resulted in significant increase in yield attributes and yield of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] in both the years. The effect af greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.) was slightly lower than of cowpea in wet year but minor in drought year. Hand-weeding and tank mix of imazethapyr + pendimethalin effected significant decrease in weed population, weed dry weight and nutrient depletion and conspicuous increase in yield attributes and yield of pigeonpea in both years. Their application resulted in higher net return. net return/rupees and benefit : cost ratio. Intercropping systems generated higher return than sole cropping in both the years.