Growth and yield of summer maize as influenced by intercropping systems

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) to study the production potential of summer maize based intercropping systems during summer season of 2016. The experiment was carried out in randomized block design with four replications and ten treatments. Plant stand per net plot as well as days to 50 per cent silking of maize was not influenced significantly by various treatments. Plant height of maize was recorded maximum in sole maize (Paired rows at 45-75 cm) (156.66 and 176.47 cm at 45 and 90 DAS, respectively), whereas number of leaves per plant and dry matter accumulation were recorded maximum in sole maize (Normal sowing) as compared to intercropping treatments. Among intercropping treatments, maize + green gram (1:1) recorded maximum plant height (147.96 and 166.65 cm at 45 and 90 DAS, respectively), number of leaves per plant (6.80, 11.15 and 13.55 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS, respectively) and dry matter accumulation (53.50 and 99.93 g/plant at 45 DAS and harvest, respectively). Sole maize (Normal and paired rows sowing) recorded higher number of cobs per plant, cob length, cob girth, number of seeds per cob and 100 grains weight as compared to intercropping treatments. Grain and straw yield (3325 and 7292 kg/ha, respectively) was recorded significantly higher in T1 – sole maize (Normal sowing). Both sole maize treatments recorded more grain and straw yield than intercropping treatments. Among the intercropping treatments, maize + green gram (1:1) (T5) recorded maximum grain as well as straw yield followed by maize + cowpea (1:1) (T8).