Effect of intercropping, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and cutting management on sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata)

Two field trials were conducted during rainy season of 1992-94 with sabai grass [Eulaliopsis binata (Retz.) C E Hubb.] at Chennadhua Farm, Baripada. One was on intercropping of 4 legumes, viz pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Warp.] in 1 : 1, blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) and greengram (P. radiatus L.) in 1 : 2 row ratio respectively at 90 cm row spacing of sabai grass and 3 levels of N, P and K (kg/ha) (N0P0K0, N20P4.37K8.33, N40P8.73K6.67), and 2 cuttings at each level during September and January every year. Intercropping of either cowpea, greengram or blackgram in the initial year of establishment significantly influenced the growth parameters and increased the yield of sabai grass by 70.9, 58.8 and 39.8% compared with sole sabai grass. Sabai grass + greengram gave the highest sabai grass-equivalent yield (2 566 kg/ha), net return (Rs 3 352/ha) and benefit : cost ratio (2.90), followed by sabai grass + cowpea (2 332 kg/ha, Rs 2 841/ha, 2.76) and sabai grass + blackgram (2 266 kg/ha, Rs 2 801, 2.62) respectively. Basal application of N40P8.73K6.67 and N20P4.37K8.33 significantly increased the growth parameters and yield of sabai grass compared with the control. Significantly highest net return was obtained with N40P8.73K6.67 (Rs 3 456/ha) with 2 cuttings. The number of cuttings had no effect on net return.