Physiological growth parameters, yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by integrated nutrient management in intercropping system with green gram (Vigna radiata L.) under Island Ecosystem, A & N Islands

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during Rabi season of dry months (January to April) of 2016 and 2017 at Field Crop Experimental Research Farm, Bloomsdale, Chouldhari, ICAR- CIARI, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands to study the physiological growth parameters, yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by integrated nutrient management in intercropping system with green gram (Vigna radiata L.) under island ecosystem of A & N Islands. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications each consisting of two intercropping 1:1 and 2:2 ratio and eight nutrient sources. The main plot treatments include maize, green gram inter cropping ratio with 8 nutrient applications. Among the integrated nutrient management treatments, during the successive stages in pooled analysis the maximum (145.41,2.01,10.65,3.42 and 97.73) were recorded in application of N1 [100% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizers)], followed by N8[25% RDN through Urea + 50% through PM + 25% Gliricidia + Azotobacter] was [144.85,1.88,10.56,3.38 and97.04], however the maximum crop growth rate and relative growth rate was recorded in N8[25% RDN through Urea + 50% through PM + 25% Gliricidia + Azotobacter]. Among the cropping system S1 registered significant and maximum Total yield (48.32 q/ha), which was superior to maize intercropped with greengram. Among the nutrient source treatments N1 (100% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizers) recorded significant and maximum total yield (60.49 q/ha), which was superior to rest of the treatments.