Effect of Intercropping of some Legume Forage Crops with Maize Under Levels of Mineral Npk and Nano Npk Fertilizer

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Mallawi Agricultural Research Station, Minia Governorate, ARC, during two successive summer seasons of 2017 and 2018 to study the effect of intercropping three fodder crops on productivity, quality and profitability of maize cv. Giza 168 and using different rates of NKP nano + mineral fertilizer. A complete Randomized Block Design in a split plot arrangement with four replicates was used in both seasons. Main plots were devoted for the following three fodder crops guar, cowpea and cilitora 50% of the recommended. The following rates of fertilizer , 100 % NPK mineral fertilizer, 100% NPK nano fertilizer,75% nano+25% mineral fertilizer, 50% nano + 50% mineral fertilizer and 25 % nano+ 75% mineral fertilizer added for maize from recommended does were allocated in the sub- plots. The highest values of these characters were obtained with 75% nano fertilization NPK + 25% mineral fertilization NPK fed-1. Maize grain yield could be noted from the combined analysis that the yield of grain (ardab/fed) was representing 3.07, 9.71.18.11.8.95 and 8.81% of pure stand of maize, respectively. The percentage of protein, phosphorus and potassium in maize grains increased in percentage compared to the individual in both seasons and combined. Intercropping cilitiora with maize and using 100 % mineral fertilizers recorded the lowest values for (LER& ATER). Net return of intercropping cowpea with maize and using rate 75% nano and 25 % mineral fertilizer 8589.4L.E. fed-1 an average of the two successive seasons.