Performance of maize (Zea mays) - Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) intercropping systems under different integrated nutrient management protocols in Central Plain Zones of Uttar Pradesh Kumar Kaushal1,*, Singh V1, Alam M1, Kumar S1, Kumar M1, Tripathi AK2 1C. S. Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur-208 002, (Uttar Pradesh), India 2Banda University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda-210 001, (Uttar Pradesh), India *Kaushal Kumar (Corresponding author) kaushal_scvwm@rediffmail.com
Online Published on 18 March, 2023. Abstract A field experiment was carried out in Kanpur during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21 to assess the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) + kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata L.)-based intercropping systems under different INM protocols in Central Plain Zones of Uttar Pradesh. The experiment consisted of five cropping systems viz., C1 : Sole maize at row space of 60 cm, C2 : Sole kalmegh at row space of 40 cm, C3 : Maize + kalmegh (1:1) in additive series, C4 : Maize + kalmegh (2:2) in paired row (40:80) and C5 : Maize + kalmegh (3:2) in replacement series (40:40) along with three integrated nutrient management options i.e. I1 : 100% N through inorganic, I2 : 50% N inorganic + 50% N FYM and I3 : 50% inorganic + 25% FYM + 25% vermicompost. The experiment was conducted in split plot design replicated thrice arranging cropping systems in main plots and INM protocols in sub plots. The results revealed that intercropping systems recorded higher values of yield attributes, crop yields and economics over respective sole stands during both the years of study. Intercropping of maize + kalmegh (2:2) in paired row (C4) gave the highest values of growth and yield attributes of maize viz., plant height, leaves plant-1, length of cob, grain cob-1 and 1000-grain weight, and growth attributes of kalmegh viz., plant height, branches plant-1, leaves plant-1, crop yields, total productivity, water use efficiency and economic, followed by maize + kalmegh (1:1) in additive series (C3) as compared to the sole as well as other intercropping systems during both the years. Intercropping of maize + kalmegh (2:2) in paired row (C4) registered maximum grain yield of maize (4587 kg and 4690 kg ha-1) with 10787 kg and 10844 kg ha-1 fresh herbage yield and 3685 kg and 3873 kg ha-1 dry herbage yield dry of kalmegh crop during 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively. This C4 treatment also recorded significantly the highest total maize equivalent yield (TMEY) of 11915 kg and 12017 kg ha-1 during 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively, over sole and other intercropping treatments. Maize + kalmegh (2:2) intercropping with paired row (C4) also recorded maximum average land equivalent ratio (2.01), followed by maize + kalmegh (1:1) in additive series (C3) with average value of 1.89. Application of N through 50% inorganic + 25% FYM + 25% vermicompost (I3) recorded significantly higher values of growth and yield parameters, crop yields, and TMEY, followed by supplying 50% N through inorganics and 50% N organics (FYM) treatment (I2). Maximum water-use was observed in relevant sole crops of maize and kalmegh in both the years; whereas, highest water use efficiency of 41.10 kg ha-1 mm-1 was observed in intercropping treatment of maize + kalmegh (2:2) in paired row and this treatment also fetched maximum average net return of1 188616 ha-1 with highest B:C ratio (6.31). Thus, intercropping of maize + kalmegh (2:2) in paired rows was found more productive, remunerative and efficient cropping system. Top Keywords Andrographis paniculata, Economics, Intercropping, Kalmegh, Land equivalent ration, Maize, Productivity, Water use efficiency, Zea mays. Top |