Influence of fallowing and seasonal land configuration on growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) plus pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) intercropping in Vertisols under varying seasonal precipitation

A field experiment was conducted at Coimbatore under rainfed conditions for 4 seasons during 1991-92 and 1992-93 to determine the residual effect of rainy (June-September) season fallowing and direct effect of winter (October-January)-season land-configuration techniques on winter-sown sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] + pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] crops. Rainy-season shallow tillage and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cropping resulted in higher growth and yield of subsequent winter-season crops. Residual effect of pre-season legume cropping was much pronounced when the winter season received adequate rainfall. Considering the direct effect of winter season land-configuration techniques, in low-rainfall (152.6 mm) year of 1991-92, compartmental bunding recorded the maximum growth and yield. During 1992-93, when the rainfall was high (568.4 mm), broadbed furrow increased growth and yield of sorghum + pigeonpea crops.