Production potential and economic feasibility of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) intercropping system on rainfed upland condition

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 1999 and 2000 at Baruipur, to evaluate different planting patterns of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] intercropping. Various growth and yield attributes and yield of sunflower and pigeonpea were superior under sole cropping. Intercropping of sunflower and pigeonpea in 3:1 row proportion and in 2:2 row proportion showed better manifestation of growth and yield attributes in sunflower and pigeonpea respectively. All the intercropping patterns were superior in terms of sunflower-equivalent yield and income-equivalent ratio (IER) values to sole crops. Intercropping of sunflower and pigeonpea in 3:1 row proportion was the best system, recording the highest sunflower-equivalent yield (2,480 kg/ha), land-equivalent ratio (1.38), product of crowding coefficient (k 5.94), income-equivalent ratio (1.73), benefit : cost ratio (2.06), gross (Rs 19.840/ha) and net returns (Rs 10,212/ha) and monetary advantage (Rs 5,463/ha).