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Effect of Population Density and Dose of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Productivity of Maize Intercropped with Cowpea

Abul Hashem
Department of Agronomy, Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Agriculture, Salna, Gazipur

A. F. M. Maniruzzaman
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Monoculture maize, monoculture cowpea, two maize + cowpea intercropping mixtures l 100% maize. + 50% cowpea and 100% maize + 33% cowpea) were compared in an experiment to determine level of N fertilization in intercropping combination involving maize and cowpea. Monoculture maize and each of maize + cowpea mixtures received N at three levels (20, 60 and 120 kg N /ha). Monoculture cowpea received only 20 kg N/ha . Maize grain yield and seeds per cob were not affected significantly when receiving 60 and 120 kg N / ha in monocrop or mixtures but yield was reduced significantly both in monocrop and mixtures when only 20 kg N / ha was applied . Monocrop cowpea gave highest grain yield ( 1.75 t/ha). Significant yield reduction in maize+cowpea mixtures at 120 kg N /ha was mainly due to significant reduction in number of pods per plant. Highest maize equivalent yield (4.39 t / ha), LER ( 1.40) and gross margin ($ 273/ ha) were obtained from I00% maize + 50% cowpea with 60 kg N /ha indicating the level of N requirement in intercropping combination of maize with cowpea.

Keywords: Populatin density, Nitrozen fertilizer, Productivity, Intercrop of maize with cowpea

Location: Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Maize, Cowpea

Objectives:

To find out suitable level(s) of plant population
To determine the nitrogen fertilizer level of the component species in intercropping when the species respond differently to the nutrient.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong. The experiment was laid out in randomised complete block design with three replications. Each plot measured 5m x 3.6m. The treatments included sole crops of maize cv. Sadaf (44,444 plantsfha) and cowpea cv. Hathazari local (3,33,333 plants/ha), and two intercrop mixtures of maize and cowpea (100% maize + 50% cowpea and 100% maize+33% cowpea). The sole crop of maize and the two intercrop mixtures were combined with each of three levels of N (20, 60 and 120 kg N/ha) while sole cowpea received only 20 kg N / ha. Four maize rows spaced at 90 cmx 25 cm were employed both in sole and intercropped plots. In sole crop of cowpea there were 12 rows spaced 30 cm x 10 cm. A uniform dose of 60 kg P₂0₅ and 40 kg K 20 /ha was applied in all treatments . Full dose of P₂0₅ and 20 kg N / ha were applied basally. Balance of N were side dressed only in maize in two equal splits at 31 and 66 days after seeding (DAS). Maize was harvested at 139 DAS. The first and second harvest of cowpea were small at 117 and 139 DAS. Data on yield and yield components were recorded at harvest for both the crops. Moreover, man and animal hours, input costs and output prices were recorded for analysing cost and return. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was computed to assess the land use efficiency or yield advantage. Usually LER values are compared between treatments 'receiving similar management. However, it was felt that to obtain meaningful result it would be useful to compute LER on the basis of monocrop maize yield obtained with the recommended dose of N fertilizer i.e., 120 kg N per hectare (BARC, 1985). Maize equivalent yield (MEY) was computed by multiplying the yield of cowpea by its prevailing market price and dividing the result by the price of maize (Bandyopadhyay, 1984).

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron.J.1987, 2(1}: 16-24

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Yield and seeds per cob were not affected significantly when receiving 60 and 120 kg N / ha in monocrop or mixtures but yield was reduced significantly both in monocrop and mixtures when only 20 kg N / ha was applied . Monocrop cowpea gage highest grain yield ( 1.75 t/ha). Significant yield reduction in maize-cowpea mixtures at 120 kg N t/ha was mainly due to significant reduction in number of pods per plant. Highest maize equivalent yield (4.39 t / ha), LER ( 1.40) and gross margin ($ 273/ ha) were obtained from I 00% maize + 50% cowpea with 60 kg N t/ha indicating the level of N requirement in intercropping combination of maize with cowpea.

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