Effect of fertilizer and plant-density management on productivity and economics of maize (Zea mays) + blackgram (Phaseolus mungo) intercropping
Year: 1995
Type: article
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during rainy seson of 1988 and 1989 on sandy-loam soil to study the effect of fertilizer and plant population of black gram of productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) + blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) intercropping. Separate fertilization (fertilizer for component crops applied seprately to respective rows) gave 8.4% higher grain yield of maize than uniform fertilization (fertilizer for component crops mixed together and applied uniformly in rows irrespective of crops). Reduction in population of blackgram as Intercrop below 100% decreased the productivity of the system. Grain yield of inter cropped maize was almost similar(4.04-4.18 tonnes/ha) to its sole crop (4.32 tonnes/ha) when grown with 100% population (20 kg seed/ha) and 50 (10 kg N and 8.8 kg P/ha) to 100% (20 kg N and 17.6 kg P/ha) fertilizer to blackgram and component crops fertilized separately. This combination also gave higher grain yield (0.82-0.84 tonnes/ha) of the intercrop blackgram, suggesting that 50% fertilizer to blackgram could be saved without any significant reduction in production polential of the system. Maize + blackgram intercropping system with 100% population and 50% fertilizer to blackgram and fertilized separately to both the component crops gave maize-equivalent yield of 5.88 tonnes/ha and net rturns of Rs 10470/ha.
Authors: Man Singh, S Pashupalak, Sukumar Pal, Rajni Kant Thakur, U. N. Verma
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W140091523