Effect of row ratios and fertility levels on performance of Guinea grass plus Stylosanthes hamata intercropping system under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four consecutive years (2003-04 to 2006-07) at Central Research Farm of Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi to study the effect of row ratios and fertility levels on growth, persistence of legume, productivity and quality of Guinea grass-S. hamata intercropping system under rainfed conditions. Intercropping of Guinea grass with S. hamata in paired rows produced significantly higher dry forage (4.24, 5.75, 5.27, 4.76 and 5.01 t/ha) and crude protein yields (381.7, 507.1, 467.0 and 399.2 kg/ha) as compared to sole stands of both grass and legume and intercropping in alternate rows. It was however, at par with 3:3 and 4:4 row ratios during all the four years. Application of 75 per cent RDF + 5 tonnes FYM/ha recorded 29.76, 36.43, 22.71 and 25.17 per cent higher dry matter yields over recommended dose of fertilizer during first, second, third and fourth year, respectively. Persistence of S. hamata was higher (85.19, 74.72 and 69.78 per cent) in sole stand as compared to alternate rows of grass-legume intercropping systems (76.26, 56.38 and 45.37 per cent) during all the three years. Intercropping of Guinea grass with S. hamata in all the row ratios resulted in land equivalent ratio of greater than 1, indicating productivity advantages of intercropping. The maximum RCC value was recorded in paired rows which indicated comparative yield advantage of grass-legume intercropping system over other planting treatments.