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Demonstration of Hybrid Maize Sweet Potato Intercropping System at Farmers’ Field

M. N. Islam
PSO
Agronomy Division, Gazipur

M. Akhteruzzaman
PSO
Agronomy Division, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An intercropping experiment was conducted at farmers’ field of Kushtia district during rabi season of 2008-09 to verify the potentiality of hybrid maize-sweet potato intercropping system. Two planting systems viz., maize paired row + 2 rows sweet potato (100% M : 40% SP) and maize normal row +1 row sweet potato(100% M : 640% SP) were evaluated against their sole crops. Grain yield of hybrid maize reduced in intercropping systems but the reduction was not significant. The highest tuber yield of sweet potato was recorded in sole crop. But the highest maize equivalent yield (6.79 t/ha), gross return (Tk 81480 /ha) and benefit cost ratio (3.30) were recorded in maize normal row + 1 row sweet potato planting system. The values of these parameters were closer to those in maize paired row + 2 row sweet potato planting system. The results revealed that both the planting systems are suitable and profitable for the farmers’ field of Kushtia district.

Keywords: Demonstration, Hybrid maize, Sweet potato, Intercropping, Farmers' fields

Location: Kushtia

Start Date: 00-00-2008

End Date: 00-00-2009

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Non-commodity: Adoption of technology

Objectives:

The experiment was conducted to verify the potentiality of hybrid maize+sweet potato intercropping system in farmers’ field.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at farmers’ field of Hosenabad village under Daulatpur Upazila of Kushtia district during rabi season of 2008-09. The soil of the experimental field was silty loam in texture with pH 7.2 belonging to Calcareous Dark Grey Floodplain soil (AEZ-11). The soil was low in organic matter (1.89%) and deficient in total nitrogen (0.122%), available phosphorus (12.66 ppm), exchangeable potassium (0.188 meq 100-1 g soil) and available sulphur (5.96 ppm). Four treatment combinations were as follows: T₁ = Sole hybrid maize (75 x 25 cm) T₂ = Maize paired rows (37.5/150/37.5 x 25 cm) + 2 rows sweet potato (100% M : 40% SP) T₃ = Maize normal row +1 row sweet potato (100% M : 60% SP) T₄ = Sole sweet potato (60 cm x 20 cm) The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five replications. The unit plot size was 4.5 m x 3.0 m. The hybrid maize (var. Pacific 11) and sweet potato (Local) were used in this intercropping experiment. Seeds of maize and vines of sweet potato were sown/ planted on November 09, 2008 according to treatments. In maize paired row + 2 rows sweet planting system, 53,333 maize plants and 33,333 sweet potato vines/ha were accommodated. Whereas, in maize normal row + 1 row sweet planting system, 53,333 maize plants and 50,000 sweet potato vines/ha were maintained. Sole hybrid maize and intercropping treatments were fertilized with 260-55-40-4-1 kg/ha NPKSZn while sole sweet potato was grown with 100-40-100-10-1 kg/ha NPKSZn. The full amount of P K S Zn and 1/3 N were applied as basal in the form of triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, zinc sulphate and urea, respectively. The remaining N was top dressed in two equal splits at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS).

Source of Information: Annual Report, Agronomy Division 2008-2009

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Asian Development Bank

Budget: 15,000/-

Total Budget (Tk.) : 15,000/-

Achievement/Findings:

The results revealed that both the planting systems (Maize paired rows + 2 rows sweet potato Maize normal row +1 row sweet potato) are suitable and profitable for the farmers’ field of Kushtia district.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings