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Agro-economic Performance of Intercropping Hybrid Maize with Vegetables and Spices at Farmer’s Field

MI Nazrul
Senior Scientific Officer
On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted at Multi Location Testing (MLT) site, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh during rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 to study the profitability of intercropping of hybrid maize with vegetables and spices. Five intercrop combinations of hybrid maize along with sole maize were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated six times. There were six treatments viz., T₁: Maize + potato, T₂: Maize + red amaranth, T₃: Maize + spinach, T₄: Maize+ data shak, T₅: Maize + coriander and T₆: Maize as sole. The grain yield of maize in intercropped combination varied significantly. The highest grain yield (9.71 t ha^-1) was in sole maize. The highest maize equivalent yield 15.60 t ha^-1was recorded from the treatment T₁ (100% maize + potato) whereas the lowest yield (8.61 t ha^-1) was obtained from the treatment T₆(sole maize). The highest gross return (Tk. 312000 ha^-1) and benefit cost ratio (3.29) was obtained from the treatment T₁ (100% maize + potato). On the contrary, the lowest gross margin (Tk. 101600 ha^-1) was obtained from treatment T₂ (maize + red amaranth). It revealed that the combination of maize with potato was more compatible and profitable intercropping system in Sylhet region of Bangladesh

Keywords: Intercropping, Maize, Vegetables, Spices, Yield, Cost-benefit, Ratio, Potato

Location: Multi Location Testing (MLT) site, Moulvibazar

Start Date: 00-00-2016

End Date: 00-00-2018

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Maize, Amaranth, Red amaranth

Objectives:

To increase yield and economic return of farmers and improve the productivity of existing cropping pattern as well as land bring under cultivation by intercropping practices in Sylhet region.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at Multi Location Testing (MLT) site, Moulvibazar during rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 to study the feasibility of intercropping of hybrid maize with different short duration vegetables and spices and economic returns. Five intercrop combinations of hybrid maize along with sole maize were arranged in randomized complete block design replicated six times. There were six treatments viz., T₁: Maize + potato, T₂: Maize + red amaranth, T₃: Maize + spinach, T₄: Maize + data shak, T₅: Maize + coriander and T₆: Maize as sole. The unit plot size was 8 m × 5 m. Hybrid maize (var. BARI Hybrid Maize-9). Potato (var. Diamant), Spinach (var. Local), Red amaranth (var. BARI Lalshak-1), and coriander (var. local) were used as component crops. The seeds of maize, potato, spinach, red amaranth, data shak, and coriander were sown during 25-28 November in each year with maintaining recommended methods. The spacing for sole and intercropping maize was 60 cm x 25 cm. Fertilizers were applied @ 255-55-1-40-40-6-2 kg ha^-1 N-P-K-Zn-B for maize. One-third N and full amount of all other fertilizer were applied as basal. Rest N was applied as top dress in two equal splits at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). Subsequently three irrigation were applied at 20, 30 and 60 DAS. Ear thing up was done at 30 days after planting potato. Two hand weeding were done at 20 and 25 DAS to keep the crop reasonably weed free. The component crops were harvested 10-20 February and maize harvested from 1012 May, 2016-17 and 2017-18. ; Ten maize plants were randomly selected prior to harvest from each plot; yields of companion were collected from whole plot basis. At harvest, the yield data was recorded plot wise and analyzed statistically and mean separations were done by LSD using statistical tools for agricultural research (STAR) package. Maize equivalent yield (MEY) and benefit cost analysis also done. Grain yield of maize was determined at 14% moisture content. Equivalent yield of component crops were determined following the method of Anjaneyulu et al. (1982). Maize Equivalent; Yield (MEY) =Ym + (Yi × Pi)/Pm; Where, Ym = Yield of maize (t ha^-1) Yi = Yield of intercrop vegetable (t ha^-1) Pi = Price of intercrop vegetables (Tk ha^-1) Pm = Price of maize (Tk ha^-1). The relative yield was obtained by dividing the intercrop yield of a crop with the respective sole crop yield of that crop using the formula (Dewit and Vander Bergh, 1965). The relative yield of crops = Yield of components crops/Yield of sole crops.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Agron. J. 2018, 21(2): 73-78

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/baj.v21i2.44495

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From these results, it revealed that maize grown as intercrop with short duration component crops (vegetables/spices) like potato, data shak and coriander may be profitable than sole maize. All of the intercrop combinations except red amaranth and spinach are agronomically and economically viable than sole cropping. The overall results indicated that among the intercrop combinations maize sowing with potato was found suitable for total productivity and economic return of inter crop systems in Sylhet region.

Knowledge Management: Journal