Climate Resilient Intercropping Systems for Rainfed Black Soils of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra

Abstract

The assessment studies on different intercropping systems along with their respective sole crops were implemented with active participation of farmers in Yagantipalle village of Kurnool district (Andhra Pradesh), Aurangabad and Nandurbar districts of Maharashtra during 2011 to 2014 as a part of National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project. The main objective of the study was to popularize climate resilient rainfed intercropping systems in black soils to mitigate climate variability. Intercropping of foxtail millet + pigeonpea (5:1) was identified as best climate resilient system in black soils (kurnool district) of Andhra Pradesh. This system on an average enhanced pigeonpea seed equivalent yields by 406 and 191 kg/ha compared to sole crops of foxtail millet and pigeonpea and recorded 41% of yield advantage over sole crops. In Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, soyabean + pigeonpea (4:2) and pigeonpea + green gram (1:2) were identified as climate resilient intercropping systems. Cotton + greengram (1:1) intercropping system was suitable during medium and good rainfall years in black soils of Aurangabad district. In Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, soybean + pigeonpea (3:1) was found stable over different rainfall patterns. On an average, the intercropping system of soybean + pigeonpea (3:1) recorded 73% higher net income than sole pigeonpea. Though the seed yields of intercrops were reduced by 15 - 20% than respective sole crops in intercropping system, the seed yields of intercropping system was always higher (30 to 60%) than sole crops. Hence, adoption of intercropping systems in rainfed black soils is climate resilient system and also helps in improving food security in rainfed areas.