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Hybrid Maize and Sweet Potato Intercropping: a Technology to Increase Productivity and Profitability for Poor Hill Farmers in Bangladesh

M. N. Islam
Principal Scientific Officer
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh

M. Akhteruzzaman
Principal Scientific Officer
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh

M. S. Alom
Principal Scientific Officer
Agronomy Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh

M. Salim
Scientific Officer
Hill Agricultural Research Station, Khagrachari

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted at the Hill Agricultural Research Station, Khagrachari during two winter seasons of 2010-11 and 2011-12 to find out suitable planting system of the component crops for increasing productivity and profitability for hill farmers of Bangladesh. Three intercrop combinations viz., (i) maize paired row + 2 rows sweet potato, (ii) maize normal row +1 row sweet potato and (iii) sweet potato normal row + 1 row maize were evaluated against their respective sole crops. In all combinations, light availability was more at early growth stage and reduced gradually with the advancement of canopy development of maize. Light availability was minimum at 100 days after emergence and thereafter slightly increased in three intercrop combinations. Among intercrop combinations, light availability to sweet potato canopy was more in maize paired row + 2 rows sweet potato combination through out the crop period which enhance tuber formation, tuber bulging and tuber yield. Contrary, sweet potato vines provide a mulch cover for maize which preserve soil moisture and reduce weed infestation producing higher yield and yield components of maize. Maize yield (cob yield: 19.82 t ha^-1, grain yield: 8.98 t ha^-1), tuber yield of sweet potato (17.11 t ha^-1) and maize equivalent yield (cob equivalent yield: 42.63 t ha^-1, grain equivalent yield: 15.82 t ha^-1) were the highest in maize paired row + 2 rows sweet potato combination. Similarly, the highest gross return (for cob: Tk. 1,27,890 ha ^-1 , for grain: Tk. 1,58,200 ha^-1), gross margin (for cob: Tk. 87,890 ha^-1, for grain: Tk.1,08,200 ha^-1) and benefit cost ratio (for cob: 3.20, for grain: 3.16) were also obtained from the same combination. The results revealed that maize paired row + 2 rows sweet potato combination might be suitable for increasing productivity and ensure food security for resource poor hill farmers of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Hill farmers, Hybrid maize, Sweet potato, Intercropping, Productivity and Technology

Location: Hill Agricultural Research Station, Khagrachari

Start Date: 00-00-2010

End Date: 00-00-2012

Program Area: Farming System

Non-commodity: Intercropping

Objectives:

To find out the suitable planting system of hybrid maize-sweet potato intercropping system for increasing productivity for hill farmers in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The soil of the experimental field was clay loam in texture and strongly acidic in reaction (pH 4.6) under Agro-Ecological Zone-29. The soil was medium in organic matter content (1.88%), very low status in total N (0.09%), low in P (5.4 µg g^-1), medium in K (0.24 meq 100g^-1), medium in S (16 µg g^-1), low in Zn (0.78 µg g^-1)and low in B (0.25 µg g^-1). The crops received total rainfall of 15.1 mm and 4.2 mm during crop period of 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. The monthly mean maximum and minimum air temperature were 26.1^oC and 19.1^oC, respectively during 2010-11 while 25.9^oC and 20.4^oC, respectively in 2011-12. Five treatments were evaluated such as: T₁ = Maize paired rows (37.5 cm / 150 cm / 37.5 cm X 25 cm) + 2 rows sweet potato (60 cm X 30 cm) in between two maize paired row (100% MPR: 40 % SP), T₂ = Maize normal row (75 cm X 25 cm) +1 row sweet potato in between two maize rows (100% MNR: 60% SP),T₃ = Sweet potato normal row (60 cm) + 1 row maize after 2 rows sweet potato (100% SP: 50% MNR), T₄ = Sole maize (75 X 25 cm), T₅ = Sole sweet potato (60 cm X 30 cm). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The unit plot size was 4.5 m X 6.0 m. The hybrid maize (var. BARI Hybrid maize 9) and sweet potato (var. BARI Mishtialu-7) were used in this experiment. BARI Hybrid maize 9 is a high yield potential (grain: 10-11 t ha^-1) cereal crop and can be grown in hill eco-system. It is moderately drought tolerant. On the contrary, BARI Mishtialu-7 is a high yielding variety (tuber yield: 40-45 t ha^-1), rich in vitamin A. It is also moderately drought tolerant. Seeds of maize and vines of sweet potato were sown or planted on 7 December 2010 and 2011 according to treatments. Sole hybrid maize and intercropping treatments were fertilized with 260-55-110-40-4-1 kg ha^-1 NPKSZnB while sole sweet potato with 100-40-100-10-1 kg ha^-1 NPKSZn. The full amount of P K S Zn B and 1/3 N were applied as basal in the form of triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, gypsum, zinc sulphate, boric acid and urea, respectively. The remaining N was top dressed in two equal splits at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). Irrigation was given after sowing or planting for proper establishment of crops. Subsequently three irrigations were applied at 30, 60 and 90 DAS. Two hand weeding were done at 20 and 40 DAS to keep the crops reasonably weed free. Each maize plots were divided into two halves of 4.5 mX 3.5 m (5.75 m²) for harvesting the cobs. Plants m^-2 for both the crops was recorded from randomly selected three places and yield components from 5 plants at harvest. Maize cobs of were harvested at dent stage (135-140 DAS) and physiological maturity stage (155-160 DAS) at both the years. On the other hand, sweet potato was harvested at maturity stage (156 DAP). Yields of both the crops were taken from whole plot.

Source of Information: SAARC J. Agri., 12(2): 101-111 (2014)

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/SJA/article/view/21922/15037

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Maize paired row + 2 rows sweet potato combination could be suitable for increasing productivity and profitability for hill farmers of Khagrachari in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal