Supplementary file 1_Synergistic effects of seedbed methods and legume intercropping on soil moisture conservation and productivity of groundnut in rainfed Alfisols.docx

<p>Field experiments were conducted during the moisture-limited north-east monsoon (rabi) seasons of 2020–2022 to evaluate the effects of seedbed methods and legume-based intercropping systems on groundnut growth, yield, soil moisture conservation, rainwater use efficiency (RWUE), groundnut equivalent yield (GEY), and post-harvest soil fertility under rainfed Alfisol conditions. The experiment was laid out in a strip-plot design with three seedbed methods as main plots (compartmental bunding, raised bed, and flatbed) and four intercropping systems as subplots (groundnut with black gram, cowpea, red gram, or castor in a 4:1 row ratio).

The raised bed produced the numerically highest mean pod yield (528 kg ha⁻¹) and RWUE (4.45 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹). For both variables, it was statistically similar to compartmental bunding but superior to flatbed. Groundnut + cowpea produced the numerically highest mean pod yield among intercrops (499 kg ha⁻¹).