Vikrant Malik, Rakesh Mohan* and Munesh Kumar�
pp. 39-42

The field experiment was carried out in Mizoram University experimental farm by growing Sorghum bicolor varieties (CSV-15, RKV-400 and SPV-669) as sole crop (control) and Sorghum bicolor varieties with Melia azedarach (intercropped). The results observed that the height of all sorghum varieties reduced significantly when intercropped with Melia azedarach. Similarly, these varieties were also showed reduced length of bunch over control (p<0.05). The highest number of seeds per plant in intercropped was produced by the variety of CSV-15 (715.77・}2.39) and the lowest by SPV-669 (345.55・}2.42). The yield of all varieties was also significantly (p<0.05) decreased when intercropped with Melia azedarach compared to control. In intercropped the highest yield was of variety CSV-15 (22.85 kg per plot) followed by RKV-400 (18.45 kg per plot) and SPV-669 (18.02 kg per plot). However, similar reducing trend of Sorghum bicolor was also reported in control. Thus, it could be concluded that the growth performance of Sorghum bicolor varieties was good under control conditions. However, intercropping may provide some insurance against crop failure in high erosive areas. Therefore, intercropping could be helpful to minimize the effect of erosion, enhance sustainable productivity of sorghum by provide soil security as soil binder and tree can be used for some other alternative purposes.

Key words: Sorghum bicolor, Melia azedarach, intercropping, verities, yield