Mixed intercropping: Two or more crops simultaneously grown with no distinct row arrangement Row intercropping: Two or more crops simultaneously grown where one or more crops are planted in rows Continued

Strip intercropping: Two or more crops simultaneously grown in strips; wide enough to permit independent cultivation but narrow enough for crop interaction Relay intercropping: Two or more crops simultaneously grown during the part of the life cycle of each. 2 nd crop planted after the 1 st crop has reached reproductive stage, before it is ready for harvest.

Better use of resources (light/nutrient/water) Suppression of weeds Yield stability & fetch income even if one crop fails due to unforeseen situations Higher equivalent yields (yield of base crop + intercrop), high cropping intensity Reduced pest & disease incidences Soil health & agro-eco system improved

Major kharif PulsesArea coverageProduction ha%MT% Total Pulses Blackgram Blackgram (Urd) Greengram Greengram (Mung) Pigeonpea Pigeonpea (Arhar)

UBV Zone Sugarcane + Cowpea Pigeonpea + Ginger/Turmeric CBV Zone Brinjal + French bean Hill Zone Rice (DS) + Blackgram/Greengram Pigeonpea + Sesamum/Blackgram/Greengram Rice (DS) + Greengram/Blackgram (2:1)

Sesame (var. ST-1683) + Greengram (var. 2:2 row ratio Sesame (var. ST-1683) + Blackgram (var. Pant U 1:1 row ratio Both systems produce 13-14q/ha of Sesame Equivalent Yield (SEY) with C:B ratio 3-4/Rupee Crop sown in Aug15-Sep15 in drylands in Assam Under proposal for recommendation in Package of Practices for Kharif (Source: AAU, 2015)

Ginger + Pigeonpea (Local cultivar/variety, Long duration, sown in April-May) Pigeonpea + 2:2 row ratio, spaced at 75 cm in 20% hill slopes significantly increase Pigeonpea Equivalent Yield (PEY) compared to sole pigeonpea Under proposal for recommendation in Package of Practices for Kharif (Source: AAU, 2015)

Growth rhythm constitutes a kingpin so far as success of intercropping system is concerned. Pulses in an intercropping system may be a right way to increase sustainable production. Maize offers reasonable inter-row spaces. Profitably be utilized for raising short duration & adaptable cultivars of pulses like Greengram. Efficiency of resource utilization is enhanced. Nutrient & water requirement compatibility be worked out with population & growth rhythm.

Ricebean Maize Ricebean as relay in early stage of Maize

Greengram Maize Greengram sown relay with Maize

GrengramMaize Grengram sown in Maize before flowering

GrengramMaize Grengram sown in Maize at maturity

Relay cropping of pulses is a common practice in Assam. Kharif rice is followed by Rabi pulses like Fieldpea, Lathyrus and Lentil. Seeds of pulses are sown in standing rice fields days ahead of harvesting of rice. Soil moisture in rice fields helps in germination and initial crop establishment of pulses

Lathyrus Paddy Lathyrus sown as relay in kharif Paddy

LathyrusPaddy Lathyrus as relay crop with kharif Paddy

FieldpeaPaddy Fieldpea as relay crop with kharif Paddy

Fieldpea Paddy Fieldpea sown as relay in kharif Paddy

Lentil Paddy Lentil sown as relay in kharif Paddy