Comparative Efficacy of Leguminous Intercrops and Weed Management Practices on Nutrient Uptake, Productivity and Profitability of Maize based Intercropping System

Abstract

Background: Presently, labour force is diminishing and becoming costlier. In agriculture management of weeds in cropped field has become a real challenge to the farmers, since weeds are affecting the crop yields due to competition for growth resources. Intercropping of leguminous crops and application of pre-emergence herbicides offers an ample scope for weed control. Methods: The present study was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru during 2016 and 2017 on red sandy loam soil and the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial concept and replicated thrice. There were 15 treatment combinations involving three intercrops and five weed management treatments. Result: The results revealed that intercropping of maize with cowpea has recorded significantly higher grain yield (5842 kg/ha), stover yield (7035 kg/ha) and total nutrients uptake (99.53, 27.37, 96.95 kg/ha NPK, respectively). Among the chemical weed management practices, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1.50 kg a.i./ha has recorded significantly higher grain (6589 kg/ha), stover yield (8033 kg/ha), maize equivalent yield (8860 kg/ha), total nutrients uptake (112.81, 31.05, 109.88 kg/ha NPK, respectively) and B:C ratio (3.35) compared to other weed management practices.