Effect of Intercropping Spinach and Radish on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

Background: Intercropping increases crop yield per unit area by intensifying the use of land. Cultivation of maize with leafy vegetables provides better use of land and other environmental resources, which results in higher economic yield. The current investigation aimed to study the effect of maize-spinach and maize-radish intercropping on growth and yield of maize under rainfed condition of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh. Methods: The field experiment was conducted during 2021 in randomized block design consisting of 3 treatments i.e. T1- Sole Maize, T2- Maize + spinach and T3- Maize + radish with four replications. Observations on growth and yield parameters and yield of maize were recorded on harvesting of the crop. The results were analysed using standard statistical procedures of ANOVA. Result: In maize + spinach and maize + radish intercropping, plant height (176.3 cm), numbers of leaves (15.49) and leaf area (5407 cm2 plant-1) were significantly greater in sole maize than the intercropping system. On the other hand, the yield parameters as well as yield of maize was higher in maize + radish intercropping as compared to maize + spinach and sole maize system. The grain yield of maize under maize + radish intercropping was 3066.25 kg ha-1. The B:C (1.92) was significantly higher in intercrops than the sole maize crop. From this study, it can be concluded that the intercrops are agronomically and economically viable than sole cropping. The intercropping of maize with radish would be profitable due to higher yield of maize as well as B:C (2 rows of maize and 2 rows of soybean) under farmer’s field condition of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.