Evaluation of Yield Advantages, Competitiveness and Economic Benefits of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) Based Intercropping Systems Under Different Date of Sowing

The experiment conducted at the Department of Agronomy farm, VNMKV., Parbhani (MH), during the kharif seasons of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, integrates key agro-environmental factors. The utilization of deep black (vertisol) soil with good drainage replicates prevalent soil conditions in the region, ensuring the relevance and applicability of the findings to tropical environments of Latin America [20,21]. The implementation of a split plot design with two replications, considering four sowing dates and seven cropping systems, enhances the experimental robustness, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of the interactions between timing and cropping systems [6,22].The study's findings highlight the significance of sowing dates in maximizing pigeonpea equivalent yield and net monetary returns, with sowing within a week period after the regular commencement of the monsoon (D1) demonstrating superior performance. Furthermore, the pigeonpea + soybean intercropping system emerges as the most favorable [50], indicating its potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and economic returns in the region [17,19]. The study's insights into the competitiveness and economic benefits of different intercropping systems provide valuable guidance for agronomic management practices in tropical environments [50]. By identifying the superior performance of certain cropping systems, such as pigeonpea + soybean, and the influence of sowing dates on yield outcomes [51,45], the study informs farmers and agricultural practitioners on optimal strategies for maximizing productivity and profitability in pigeonpea cultivation [29,30].

The observed behavior of component crops within intercropping systems underscores the complexity of crop interactions and highlights the need for tailored management approaches. The dominance of the niger crop in intercropping systems over the pigeonpea base crop emphasizes the importance of understanding crop dynamics for optimizing yield outcomes [5,18]. Additionally, the study's evaluation of different sowing dates contributes to enhancing climate resilience [14] in agricultural systems by identifying optimal timing strategies for mitigating climate variability effects on crop performance [7,37,13].