Vol. 12 No. 3
Impact of planting pattern and nutrient management strategy on productivity and comparative economics of maize (Zea mays L.) + cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) intercropping under rainfed condition
Author(s): E. BARIK, B. BEHERA, S. N. JENA, M. R. SATAPATHY and P. K. ROUL
Abstract: A field experiment on planting pattern and nutrient management strategy for maize+ cowpea intercropping under rainfed condition was conducted during the kharif season of 2012 at Central Research Station, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. maize (cv. Boom) and cowpea (cv.Utkal manic) were used as test crops. Three planting patterns (P1: maize+ cowpea 1:1 in alternate rows, P2: maize + cowpea 2:2 in alternate paired rows and P3: maize+ cowpea 1:1 within same row) and four levels of nutrient management ( N1 : recommended dose of fertilizer or RDF, N2: RDF+FYM @ 5 t/ha, N3: RDF+ lime @ 0.2 LR and N4: RDF+ FYM@ 5 t ha-1+ lime@ 0.2 lime requirement) were tried in factorial Randomised Block Design with three replications. Recommended NPK+FYM+ lime in maize+ cowpea (2:2) gave the maize grain yield of 7.40 t/ha. The same combination two gave fresh pod yield of cowpea of 2.29 t ha-1. This combination also proved to be the best for system productivity and economics and gave the maximum maize equivalent yield of 9.71 tha-1, gross return of Rs.95,193 ha-1, the maximum net return of Rs. 64,367 t ha-1 and the maximum B : C ratio of 3.08. Maize + cowpea planting pattern in 2:2 in alternate paired rows and combined application of recommended dose of fertilizer (80-40-40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 for 100 per cent maize +10-20-10 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 for 50 per cent cowpea population) + FYM @ 5 t ha-1+ Lime @ 0.2 LR (480 kg ha-1) increased the productivity and profitability of maize + cowpea intercropping system comprising ‘Boom’ maize and ‘Utkal manik’ cowpea under rainfed condition and improved soil quality.
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