Dr. Kazi Nazrul Islam
Scientific Officer (Entomology)
RHRS, BARI, Lebukhali, Dumki, Patuakhali.
F. Ahmed
G. N. Hasan
S. Hasna
M. M. Islam
Maize, Vegetables, Intercropping, Economic return
Farmers’ fields of Patuakhali sadar and Barisal sadar
Farming System
Maize, Red amaranth, Spinach
The study locations were Patuakhali sadar and Barisal sadar under the agro ecological zone of Ganges Tidal Floodplain (AEZ-13). The soils of the experimental area were non-calcareous and non-saline, silty-clay to heavy clay in texture and slightly acidic (dry season) in reaction. Fertility status of soil in general was poor with a low level of organic matter. Native soil nitrogen content ranged from low to very low. The major area (86%) was medium high land (SRDI, 1997). One farmer from each site was selected to conduct the field experiment.
Five treatments were imposed: T1= Maize + 100% red-amaranth (broadcast), T2= Maize + 75% red-amaranth (broadcast), T3= Maize + 100% spinach (broadcast), T4= Maize + 75% spinach (broadcast) and T5= Sole maize. The intercrop were sown between two adjacent rows of maize planted at 60 cm × 20 cm spacing. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Each replication represented a block, which was divided into three unit plots. The size of the individual unit plot was 10m x 10m. Plot to plot distance was maintained 0.5 m. A boarder area of 1m around the experimental field was also maintained.
Seed rates of 25, 3 and 35 kg ha-1 were used for maize (BARI hybrid maize 9), red-amaranth (var. local) and spinach (var. local), respectively. Fertilizers were applied in sole and intercrop plots @ 500-240-180-240-10-5 kg/ha N, P, K, S, Zn and B in the form of urea, triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, gypsum, zinc sulphate and boron, respectively. One third of urea and all other fertilizers were incorporated in the soil at final land preparation. Rest of urea was applied around maize plant as top dress in two installments in 25 DAS and 50 DAS. Weeding, irrigation and intercultural operations were done at appropriate time according to the necessity. Sowing and harvesting dates of all crops are presented in the following table:
|
Location
|
Year
|
Seed sowing date
|
Harvesting date
|
|
Red amaranth
|
Spinach
|
Maize
|
|
Patuakhali sadar
|
2014-15
|
23 December 2014
|
14 January 2015
|
25 January 2015
|
10 May 2015
|
|
2015-16
|
31 December 2015
|
25 January 2016
|
05 February 2016
|
18 May 2016
|
|
Barisal sadar
|
2014-15
|
04 January 2015
|
26 January 2015
|
06 February 2015
|
01 June 2015
|
|
2015-16
|
15 January 2016
|
09 February 2016
|
20 February 2016
|
10 June 2016
|
Data on yield and yield attributes of maize were collected from 10 randomly selected plants from each plot. Red amaranth was harvested at 23 and 26 days after sowing (DAS) while spinach at 34 and 37 DAS, respectively in 2014-15 and 2015-16 at both the locations, respectively. The leafy vegetables (red amaranth and spinach) were generally harvested at vegetative maturity stage (marketable stage) by uprooting with the help of hand or khurpi or small spade. Yield data of leafy vegetables were obtained from 1 m2 per plot. Collected data were recorded and analyzed statistically following WASP (Web Agri Stat Package) program. Maize equivalent yield was calculated by converting the yield of red amaranth, spinach into the yield of maize on the basis of prevailing market price using the formula of Anjaneyulu et al. (1982). Benefit cost analysis were also done.
Maize equivalent yield (for vegetables) = Ym + Yint x Pint
Pm
Ym= Yield of maize, Pm= sales price of maize, Yint = yield of intercrop (red-amaranth and spinach) and Pint = price of intercrop (red-amaranth and spinach).
Journal of Experimental Biosciences.7(1): 17-22, January 2016
Journal