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Productivity and Economics of Grain Legumes Intercropped with Maize

M. K. A. Bhuiyan
Agronomy Division, BRRI, Gazipur

M. M. Haque
Department of Agronomy, BSMRAU, Salna, Gazipur

Q. A. Khaliq
Department of Agronomy, BSMRAU, Salna, Gazipur

J. A. Begum
Plant pathology Division, BRRI, Gazipur

A. H. M. R. Mawlla
Statistics Division, University of Chittagong, Chittagong

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Field experiment was conducted during winter season of 1998-1999 to observe the productivity and economic feasibility of maize - legumes intercropping systems. The intercropping systems were maize + bushbean, maize + pea, maize + lentil, maize + chickpea, maize + groundnut, and maize + cowpea. Grain yield of legumes was reduced due to intercropping with maize. The yield reduction due to intercropping was 33% in bushbean, 29% in pea, 47% in lentil, 40% in chickpea, 39% in ground nut and 30% in cowpea. Grain yield of maize remained almost unaffected under intercropping except with cowpea. The highest grain yield (4.27 t ha^-1) of maize was found from sole maize and lowest yield (2.91 t ha^-1) when it was grown with cowpea. The highest maize equivalent yield was obtained from maize + bushbean systems (7.76 t ha^-1) which gave 82.16% yield advantage over sole maize. Intercropping efficiency was higher in maize + pea (LER 1.57) and maize + bushbean (LER 1.45) systems. These two intercropping systems also provided higher economic return with better benefit cost ratios. Gross return obtained from maize + bushbean intercropping system was Tk. 77650 ha^-1 and from maize + pea systems Tk. 65350 ha^-1.

Keywords: Maize- legumes intercropping. Yield performance. Land equivalent ratio. Economic feasibility

Location: BSMR Agricultucal University, Gazipur

Start Date: 00-11-1998

End Date: 00-05-1999

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Maize

Objectives:

To determine the most productive and economically feasible maize legumes intercropping system

Methodology:

FIeld experiment was conducted at the BSMR Agricultucal University, Gazipur, Bangladesh, during November 1998 to May, 1999. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block desiqn with three replications. The experiment consisted of thirteen treatments, viz. Intercrop maize + bushbean, maize + pea, maize + lentil, maize + chickpea, maize +groundnut and maize + cowpea and sole crop of each maize, bushbean, pea, lentil, chickpea, groundnut and Cowpea. Maize seeds were sown In a planting configuration of 75 x 25 cm in which two rows of grain legumes were accommodated. Row to cow distance of each grain legumes was 25 cm and plant to plant distance was 10 cm In all legumes except lentil and chickpea. Plant to plant distance was 5 cm in lentil and 15 cm In chickpea. Similar planting configurations were maintained In sole grain legumes. The sole maize was fertilized at the rate of 100,60'40,20 kg and Intecropped maize at the rate of 60,6040,20 kg N P K S ha^-1. Full amount of P K S and 1/3 ^rd of N were applied at the time of final land preparation The rest N was applied into two equal splits at 25 and 50 days after emergence (DAE) only in maize rows. Sole legumes received as per recommended doses of fertilizer and applied as similar method. Seeds of maize and all other grain legumes were sown on 21 November 1998. Plants were established within 10 days after sowing (DAS) and then thinned to one healthy seedling per hill. Hand weeding were performed at 15 and at 35 DAS to keep the field free from weeds. Insecticide and fungicide were also sprayed as a precautionary measure when necessary. For determination of yield components of maize, ten plants were randomly selected from each plot and plant height, numberer of cobs per plant, seeds per cob and 1000 seed weight were recorded. Grain yield of maize was determined by harvesting an area of 4 m² and converted into t ha^-1 at 14% moisture content. Similarly grain yield of legumes were determined. For evaluation of intercropping systems, land equivalent ratio (LER) was calculated. Equivalent yield of component crops, Benefit cost ratio of different inter cropping systems were also calculated by dividing gross return by cost of cultivation. Data recorded on the different parameters were analyzed in analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by least significant difference (LSD) where necessary.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron. J. 1999, 9(1 & 2}: 35-42 ,ISSN 1013-1922

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Intercropping of legumes with maize is more advantageous than the sole cropping. However the advantages of maize+ legumes intercropping may be further increased by selecting the suitable intercrop combination. In such case, maize + bushbean intercropping systems may be more productive and economic than others.

Knowledge Management: Journal