Effect of Planting g Pattern and Organic Nutrient Sources on Performance of Maize in Maize-Cowpea Intercropping system

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of planting pattern and organic nutrients sources on maize in an intercropping system with cowpea. The treatment consists of four planting pattern (Sole maize, Sole cowpea, 1:1 maize + cowpea and 2:2 paired row maize + cowpea) and four nutrient sources (inorganic, FYM, ambrosia weed biomass and 50% through FYM + 50% through ambrosia weed biomass) allocated to main and sub plots, respectively. Growth parameters of maize did not vary significantly due to planting various planting patterns with cowpea except for dry matter accumulation at harvest. Highest grain, stover and biological yield of maize was also reported from sole maize which was at par with paired row planted maize but significantly higher over the maize intercropped in 1:1 planting pattern with cowpea. All the growth parameters and yield attributes of maize also differed significantly due to application of various sources of plant nutrients except for plant height at 30 DAS, CGR and RGR during 30-60 DAS and cobs per plant and cob length. Maximum grain yield in maize was recorded from inorganic nutrient source which was at par with combined nutrient application through FYM and ambrosia. Protein content ingrain remain at par but nutrient uptake varied markedly and follow the trends of grain and biological yields both due to planting pattern and nutrient sources.