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Combined Output Value in Hybrid Maize and Squash Intercropping System

M. M. Khanum
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Rajbari, Dinajpur-5200.

M.M. Bazzaz
Senior Scientific Officer
Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, Nasipur, Dinajpur-5200.

M. Nuruzzaman
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Rajbari, Dinajpur-5200.

M.A. Akther
Senior Scientific Officer
Tuber Crops Research Sub Centre, Seujgari, Bogura.

K. Ahmed
Agriculture Extension Officer
Department of Agriculture Extension, Biral, Dinajpur.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted in the research field of Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Rajbari, Dinajpur during the rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 to know the suitability of squash intercrop with maize in which row arrangement could be useful to farmers and the economic performance of the maize-squash intercropping systems. Five different intercropping combinations along with sole cropping of maize and squash were employed in the study following randomized complete block design. Different intercropping combinations were evaluated by performed on basis of several intercropping indices such as land equivalent ratio (LER), system productivity index (SPI), competitive ratio (CR), monetary advantages index (MAI), the replacement value of intercropping (RVI), and economic performance. The monetary return of intercropping of maize with squash with different planting ratios was significantly higher as compared to sole cropping. The highest maize equivalent yield (18.35 t ha^-1), gross return (Tk.275250 ha^-1), gross margin (Tk.188930 ha^-1), BCR (3.19), LER (1.65), SPI (11.03), RVI (2.92), MAI (108431) were in T₅ (Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 2 rows squash (Pl. to Pl. 1m) (100%) in between maize paired row) compared to other intercropping combination and sole cropping of maize. The results revealed that Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 2 rows squash (Pl. to Pl. 1m) (100%) in between maize paired row (T5) combination could be suitable for total productivity and economic return.

Keywords: Maize, Squash, Intercropping, Land equivalent ratio, Benefit-cost

Location: Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Rajbari, Dinajpur.

Start Date: 00-00-2016

End Date: 00-00-2018

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Maize, Squash

Objectives:

To increase total productivity per unit area in order to sustain food security, poverty reduction, resource management, and livelihood improvement of ever-increasing populations. Increasing farmers’ income, access to food and nutrition, employment opportunity, and woman’s participation in agriculture are also aimed in this study.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in the research field of Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Rajbari, Dinajpur AEZ-1 during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18. Initial soil nutrient status, temperature, and rainfall during the cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. The unit plot size was 4.5m ???? 4m. Seven different treatments were employed in the study viz. T₁= Maize normal planting (75cm x 25cm), T₂= Maize normal planting (100%) + 1 row squash (Pl. to Pl. 80cm) (100%) in between two row maize, T₃= Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 1 row squash (Pl. to Pl. 80cm) (50%) in between maize paired row, T₄= Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 1 row squash (Pl. to Pl. 1m) (40%) in between maize paired row, T₅= Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 2 rows squash (Pl. to Pl. 1m) (100%) in between maize paired row, T₆ = Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 2 rows squash(Pl. to Pl. 80cm) (80%) in between maize paired row and T₇ = Sole squash (1m ???? 80cm). The land of the experimental plot was prepared with a power tiller by ploughing and cross ploughing followed by laddering and the soil was brought into a good tilth. Squash (var. Hybrid Bulam House) and maize (var. BARI Hybrid Bhutta-9) were used in the experiment. Maize (BARI hybrid Bhutta-9) seeds were sown and squash (var. Hybrid Bulam House) 15 days seedlings were transplanted on 21 November 2016 and 15 November 2017 according to treatments. Sole hybrid maize and intercropping treatments were fertilized with @ N₂₇₀P₇₀K₁₃₅S₄₅Zn₄B₂ kg/ha while sole squash with @ N₁₀₀P₄₀K₁₈₀S₁₀Zn₅B_1.2 kg/ha, respectively. The source of N, P, K, S, Zn, and B were urea, triple superphosphate (TSP), Muriate of potash (MoP), gypsum, zinc sulphate, and boric acid, respectively. Cowdung @ 10 tha^-1 was applied as a blanket dose during final land preparation. The full amount of PK S Zn B and ¹/₃ N were applied at the time of final land preparation. The remaining N was top-dressed in two equal splits at 30 and 55 days after sowing (DAS). Two irrigations were provided after the top dressing of urea. Earthing up and other intercultural operations were done when required. Other plant protection measures were taken when required. Squash was harvested from 05-15 February and maize was harvested from 20-22 April during 2016-17 and 2017-18. Yield contributing characters of squash and maize were measured from ten randomly selected plants of the sampling area of each treatment avoiding border plants. Maize grain yield and squash fruit yield were measured from the whole plot and then calculated per hectare basis maintaining standard moisture content. Maize equivalent yield was computed by converting the yield of intercrops on the basis of the prevailing market price of the individual crop following the formula of Bandyopadhyay (1984) as given below: Meq=Yim + Yis×Ps/Pm; Where Meq= Maize equivalent yield, Yim= Yield of intercrop maize, Yis= Yield of intercrop squash, Pm= Price of maize, Ps= Price of squash.

Source of Information: International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 2020, 7(3):79-88

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Funding Source:

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Achievement/Findings:

From the experimental findings, it can be concluded that the productivity of unit land area is increased by intercropping rather than monocultures. Maize intercropped with squash produced a higher maize equivalent yield than maize sole crop. The competitive functions also showed that intercropping had a major advantage over sole cropping. So, for optimum and sustainable productivity and profitability of maize-squash intercrop combinations, a planting pattern comprising of Maize paired row (37.5cm/150cm/37.5cm) (100%) + 2 rows squash (Pl. to Pl. 1m) (100%) in between maize paired row (T₅) could be the suitable combination to increase land-use efficiency and maximum profit.

Knowledge Management: Journal