Intercropping of forage cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) with grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under rainfed condition

A field experiment was conducted to study the production potential of intercropping of forage cowpea [Vigna unguiculuta (L.) Walp.] with grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] under rainfed condition, during the rainy season (kharif) 1992, 1993 and 1994. The paired-row planting of grain sorghum at 30 cm spacing and 60 ctr, spacing within 2 pairs intercropped with 2 rows of forage copwea with 100% NPK (100, 60 and 60 kg/ha) to sorghum and 75% of recommended dose to intercrop cowpea (15, 45 and 22.5 kg/ha) was statistically on a par with 100% recommended fertilizer dose to intercrop in producing 45.1 q/ha sorghum grain, 173.8 q/ha dry fodder of sorghum and 178.1 q/ha great forage of cowpea with gross monetary returns of Rs 16,000/ha. It indicated saving of NPK fertilizers up to 25% of the recommended dose of the intercrop (i.e. saving of 5, 15 and 7.5 kg N, P and K/ha).