Abstract

Field experiments under rainfed vertisols were conducted at the Regional Research Station, Aruppukkotai, Tamil Nadu, India in rainy seasons (Sep-Jan) of 1994-95, 1995- 96 and 1996-97. Treatments consisted of 3 cropping systems and 4 levels of each N and P. The grain and straw yield of sorghum was higher when grown as sole crop. The response of component crops (cowpea and pearlmillet) to applied fertilizers were almost linear. Further application of N and P to sorghum did not show any adverse effect on the performance of intercrops. The yield of component crops were higher in normal rainfall years and were reduced in the low rainfall year. Pearlmillet was a better inter crop with sorghum than cowpea during low rainfall year.

Keywords: Sorghum, Cowpea, Pearlmillet, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Rainfed, Vertisol.