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Maize Legume Intercropping and Effect of Detopping of Maize After Silking

R. R. Saha
Scientific Officer
Agronomy Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. S. Rahman
Scientific Officer
OFRD, RARS, BARI, Jamalpur, Bangladesh

P. C. Golder
Senior Scientific Officer
RARS, BARI, Hathazari, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong during 1995-96 and 1996-97 to investigate the effect of detopping of maize after silking on yield and monetary advantages of maize+legume inter cropping under irrigated condition. Treatment included sole maize and its combinations with mungbean, groundnut and soybean under no detopping and detopping of maize after silking in paired row system (37.5 cm/150 cm/37.5 cm). Maize grain yield was significantly influenced by different crop combinations. Higher grain yield (5.60 t/ha and 6.64 t/ha) of maize was obtained from sole maize (control) which was at par with those from sale detopped maize (5.54 t/ha and 6.53 t/ha) in both the years. The highest fodder and stover yields of maize were recorded in sole detopped maize and sole maize (control), respectively. Overall, the highest maize equivalent yield (7.05 t/ha) and gross margin return (TK 39200/ha) were obtained from detopped maize-soybean combination. This treatment also showed higher benefit cost ratio (3.28) which was closely followed by those in the sole maize in both the situations (i. e. detopped and no detopped combinations). It can be concluded that detopped maize+soybean is the most profitable combinations under study. This combination also offers an alternative scope for fodder production in the crisis period.

Keywords: Maize, Mungbean, Groundnut,Soybean, Intercropping, Detopping

Location: Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong

Start Date: 00-00-1995

End Date: 00-00-1997

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Maize, Soybean, Ground nut, Mungbean

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of detopping of maize after silking on yield and monetary advantages of maize+legume inter crops under irrigated condition.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong during the rabi seasons of 1995-96 and 1996-97. The soil was sandy loam to clay loam at a depth of 0-15 cm and 16-30 cm, respectively, with pH ranging from 5 to 6.9. There were eight treatment combinations viz. T₁= sole maize with no detopping (control), T₂= sole maize detopped plant, T₃= maize (no detopping) + mungbean, T₄= detopped maize + mungbean, T₅= maize (no detopping) + groundnut, T₆= detopped maize+groundnut, T₇= maize (no detopping + soybean and T₈= detopped maize + soybean. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications having unit plot size of 7.5 m x 6.0 m. Maize (var. Barnali) was the main crop and mungbean (var. Kanti), groundnut (var. Dhaka 1) and soybean (var. Sohag) were the companion crop. All the crop seeds were sown on 13 December 1995 and 21 November 1996, respectively. Sole maize was planted at a spacing of 75 cm x 25 cm but in inter crops situation, paired row system (37.5 cm/ 150 cm/37.5 cm) was followed where four rows each of mungbean, groundnut and soybean were planted at 30 cm x 10 cm spacing in between paired rows of maize, respectively. Recommended dose of fertilizer e.g. 120-60-40 kg of N, P and K per hectare for maize was applied and no additional fertilizer was applied for inter crops. One third of N and other fertilizers were applied as basal and the rest of N was side dressed in maize rows in two equal installments at 40 and 70 days after sowing (DAS). During 1996-97, green manuring crop (Dhaincha) was grown as a preceding crop. The crops were irrigated twice at 40 and 70 DAS following side dressing of nitrogen. Maize plants were detopped at 7-10 days after silking and pollen shedding keeping 3 leaves above the cob, and detopped biomass was used as fodder. The rainfall and temperature of the experiment site during study period was recorded and shown. Mungbean, soybean, maize and groundnut were harvested at 80, 100, 130 and 140 DAS during 1995-96 and 90, 110, 135 and 145 DAS during 1996-97. Data were taken from both sole and inter crops and analyzed statistically and the mean differences were adjusted by LSD test. Maize equivalent yield was computed on the basis of prevailing market prices of different commodities.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 26(3) : 445-451, September 2001

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From this experiment, it can be concluded that detopped maize (paired row (37.5/150 cm/37.5cm) + soybean (30 cm x 10 cm) is the most profitable intercrop combination among the treatments under study. In addition to monetary benefit, shortage of fodder could be solved to some extent in the crisis period.

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