Thakar SinghJaswinder Kumar2018-09-182018-09-182018http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810073706Present study entitled “Production potential of bed planted spring maize (Zea mays L.) based intercropping systems in relation to row orientations and nutrient application” was carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2016 and 2017. In first experiment, two row orientations viz. north-south and east-west were kept in main plots. Each main plot was divided into nine sub plots to allocate spring maize based intercropping systems and sole planting of component crops. In second research experiment, four intercropping systems viz. spring maize + maize (fodder), spring maize + groundnut, spring maize + spinach and spring maize + summer squash were kept in main plots and each main plot was divided into five sub plots to allocate per cent recommended dose of nutrients (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) to intercrops. Results showed that cultivation of spring maize on raised beds under north-south direction recorded higher yield advantages, spring maize equivalent yield, system productivity and economic returns in comparison to east-west direction, but differences were nonsignificant between two row orientations. Yield of intercrops remained at par under both row orientations. PAR interception was not influenced significantly with row orientations but increase was observed under north-south direction. Among intercropping systems, spring maize + summer squash recorded significantly higher spring maize equivalent yield, system productivity, land equivalent ratio and economic returns in comparison to other intercropping systems. Spring maize + summer squash system produced 92.4% higher equivalent yield, 92.3% higher system productivity and ` 60200 ha-1 higher net returns in comparison to sole spring maize system. Spring maize + maize (fodder) was found to be the second best intercropping system. Growth, yield attributes and yield of spring maize decreased significantly under spring maize + spinach intercropping system. Among nutrients applied to intercrops, it was observed that there is need to apply 75% of the recommended dose of nutrients for summer squash and 50% for maize fodder, spinach and groundnut under spring maize based intercropping systems. Quality parameters and nutrient content in plant parts of spring maize were not significantly affected by different intercropping systems and levels of nutrients applied to intercrops.ennullThesis