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Effect of Intercropping Maize with Cowpea at Varying Plant Population Levels

Abul Hashem
Assistant Professor
Department of Agronomy, Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Aqriculture, Salna, Gazipur

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

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In a field trial conducted at the Regional Station Hathazari of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute maize was intercropped with cowpea at varying levels of plant population. Maize yield (4.9 t/ha) from 100 % maize + 50 % cowpea combination applied with only 60 kg N/ha was second best as compared to sole maize crop (6.0 t/ha) fertilized with 100 kg N/ha. Additionally 0.8 t/ha cowpea grain yield was obtained from the intercropping combination. The same com- bination also gave highest gross return, net return, benefit cost ratio (3.0) and LER (1.25).

Keywords: Intercropping, Maize, Cowpea, Plant population

Location: Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong

Start Date: 00-11-1930

End Date: 00-04-1981

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Cowpea, Maize

Objectives:

To study the effect of varying plant population levels on yield, yield components' and economic performance of the two crops in combination.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in a high land area of the Regional Agricultural Research Station. Hathazari, Chittagong during November, 1930 to April, 1981. The experimental area is Ukhiya loam of the piedmont alluvial plains. The soil contained 0.35% organic carbon and 0.80% nitrogen at a pH value of 5.2 (Department of Soil Survey, 1977). Usually rainfall at Hathazari occurs every month from November to April . However, during the period of experiment there was no rainfall in November and December and only 13.4 mm occured in April compared to normal rainfall of 114 mm. Rainfall during January and March were higher than normal: Maximum and minimum temperatures were close to normal during the period of the experiment excepting in March when minimum temperature went down to 17.5⁰C compared to normal temperature of 20.3⁰C. Eight treatments were tested in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Each unit plot measured 7 x 3.6 meters. The sale crops ware planted at spacing of 90 x 25 cm for maize and 30 x 1 0 cm for cowpea. The varieties used for maize and cowpea were Sadaf and Chittagong local respectively. The sole maize crop received 100-60-40 of N, P₂O₅ and K₂0 kg/ha. A mixture of 60-60-40 of N, P₂0₅ and K₂0 kg/ha was applied in the intercropped treatments with the expectation that maize wouId derive part of its nitrogen requirement from associated cowpea crop. Sole cowpea received 20-60-40 of N, P₂0₅ and K₂O kg/ha. All plots received 20-60-40 N, P₂O₅ and K₂0 kg/ha as basal application. The rest 40 kg N/ha was side dressed only in the maize rows of intercropped treatments 34 days after sowing (DAS). In the case of maize crop two splits of N at the rate of 40 kg/ha each were applied 34 and 65 DAS. Earthing up of maize rows was done once on 34- DAS. Two irrigations 35 and 65 DAS were given by a sprinkler. All sale and intercropped plots were weeded once 41 DAS and sale maize was weeded again 61 DAS. Three pickings were needed for cowpea 106, 118 and 129 DAS. Maize was harvested 135 DAS. An area of 6 x 1.6 meters was harvested from both the sale and intercropped plots. The harvested area included two maize rows. in sale maize and six cowpea rows in sole cowpea. In the inter cropped plots the sampled area included two rows of maize and four rows of cowpea. Land equivalent ratio (LER) was used for comparison among the treatments. LER values were computed from the grain yield data of the crops according to Shaner et at (1982. Grain yield and yield component data were collected and analysed statistically (Steel and Terrie. 1960). Total man hours required for different operations were recorded along with cost of different treatments. Cost and benefit analysis was done for each treatment on a hectare' basis taking into account market values of maize and cowpea.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron. J. 1 (1) : 25-15, 1986

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Maize yield (4.9 t/ha) from 100 % maize + 50 % cowpea combination applied with only 60 kg N/ha was second best as compared to sole maize crop (6.0 t/ha) fertilized with 100 kg N/ha. Additionally 0.8 t/ha cowpea grain yield was obtained from the intercropping combination. The same combination also gave highest gross return, net return, benefit cost ratio (3.0) and LER (1.25).

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