Effect of intercropping and weed control on nutrient uptake and water-use efficiency of pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) under rainfed conditons

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 1993 and 1994 to study the effect of intercropping and weed-control measures on nutrient uptake and water-use efficiency of pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz]. Dry-matter accumulation and N, P and K depletion by weeds and yield of pearlmillet did not differ due to intercropping. But greengram (Phaselous radiatus L.) as an intercrop gave higher yield than cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. However, total uptake of N, P and K was influenced significantly by intercropping system, being maximum with pearlmillet + greengram intercropping. This treatment also registered the highest water-use efficiency. Dry-matter accumulation and nutrients depletion by weeds were minimum under hand-weeding twice closely, followed by pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha + hand-weeding 6 weeks after sowing. Consequently, these treatments were equally effective in improving grain yield and nutrients uptake and water-use efficiency of crops. Pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha alone proved to be the least effective in these regards.