Productivity and Economics of Soybean + Minor Millet Strip Intercropping on BBF under Dryland Conditions

Abstract

Aims: A field study was conducted to evaluate the productivity and economics of a soybean and minor millet (foxtail, finger, and barnyard millet) strip intercropping system under dryland conditions. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was carried out for the kharif season of 2023–24 at AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. PDKV, Akola, Maharashtra. Methodology: The experimental data about crop equivalent yield and economics of the study were subjected to statistical analysis by using the technique of analysis of variance (ANOVA), and their significance was tested by the “F” test at 0.05 probability (Gomez and Gomez 1984). Results: Sole soybean recorded the highest seed (1881.69 kg ha⁻¹), straw (2099 kg ha⁻¹), biological yield (3981 kg ha⁻¹), and harvest index (47.27%). Among intercropping systems, soybean + foxtail millet (2:2) produced higher seed yield (1222 kg ha⁻¹), while soybean + finger millet (2:2) had greater straw (1646 kg ha⁻¹) and biological yield (2756 kg ha⁻¹). Soybean + foxtail millet (4:4) exhibited significantly higher soybean seed equivalent yield (2047 kg ha⁻¹), gross monetary returns (₹99,000 ha⁻¹) and net monetary returns (₹60,067 ha⁻¹) followed by Soybean + foxtail millet (2:2), Sole soybean, Soybean + finger millet (4:4), Soybean + finger millet (2:2) and Soybean + finger millet (4:4) strip intercropping system, and benefit-cost ratio (2.54). Sole barnyard millet consistently recorded the lowest performance. Conclusion: Overall, soybeans + foxtail millet in 2:2 and 4:4 row ratios proved to be the most productive, profitable, and resource-efficient under dryland strip intercropping.