CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN MAIZE BASED INTERCROPPING SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE MAIZE PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN TRANSITION ZONE OF KARNATAKA
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Date
2020-02-10
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University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted during Kharif season of 2017 and 2018 at Bavikere, UAHS, Shivamogga. The first experiment was laid out with maize + pole bean paired row intercropping system accommodating 100 per cent population of both the component crops as additive series. Experimental design adopted was RCBD with three replications and seven treatments consisting 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 per cent RDF of maize and pole bean to both the component crops tested against RDF of maize and pole bean applied uniformly to both the crops. Among different fertilizer levels tested, application of 150 (244.50:225:150 N, P and K kg ha-1) per cent RDF of maize and pole bean applied to both the component crops recorded significantly higher maize grain (75.21 q ha-1), stover (91.88 q ha-1), cumulative pole bean (56.81 q ha-1) and maize equivalent (149.77 q ha-1) yield over 75 and 50 per cent RDF, but found on par with application of 125 and 100 per cent RDF of maize and pole bean applied to both the crops. The plots receiving 100 and 125 per cent RDF recorded higher B:C of 2.46 and 2.38, respectively. Feasibility of second intercrop in maize + pole bean intercropping system was studied in second experiment with seven treatments replicated thrice under RCBD design. Intercropping system included hebbal avare, cowpea, soybean, green gram, black gram and french bean as second intercrop. Inclusion of cowpea recorded significant improvement in maize grain yield by 11.36 and maize equivalent yield by 16.22 per cent while total weed density and weed dry weight at different stages of crop were significantly lesser compared to maize + pole bean intercropping system. The above combination of crop recorded significant improvement in available nitrogen (347.01 kg ha-1), phosphorus (52.56 kg ha-1) and potassium (289.14 kg ha-1) in soil after crop harvest. Further, same treatment exhibited higher energy use efficiency, energy productivity and net energy.
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