International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

Aims: The net return of pigeonpea cultivated is lower due to failure to implement recommended intercropping and modern technology in the farming community in eastern Uttar Pradesh. To compensate for this anomaly, ICAR-IIVR-KVK, Deoria performed On-Farm-Trials (OFTs) for the evaluation of pigeonpea + maize intercropping in farmers' fields in various adopted villages in the Deoria District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Place and Duration of Study: The two year assessment and refinement study was carried out by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malhana, Deoria, working under the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, UP, during 2015–16 to 2016-17.

Methodology: In the present study of sole pigeonpea crop and intercropping of pigeonpea + maize was evaluated through on-farm trials (OFTs) among selected farmers’ field during Kharif season 2015-16 to 2016-17 in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, India,. Technology options for assessment of sole pigeonpea crop (T₁) and pigeonpea + maize (T₂) with improved packages and practices developed by IIPR, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, were tested at five selected farmer’s field.

Results: Maximum average gross return (Rs 103460 ha^-1), net return (Rs 71730 ha^-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.2:1) were recorded under intercropping of pigeonpea + maize, which was 41.50 percent, 43.40 and 5.96 percent more than the sown of sole crop of pigeonpea (T₁) for gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio respectively, during the period of the on-farm trial.

Conclusion: The higher value of the equivalent yield, the more feasible technology for the farming community of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.