Forage equivalent yield, quality, soil status and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by intercropping of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and fertility levels during kharif season (original) (raw)
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A field experiment was carried out at the demonstration block of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Porba) under Phek district, Nagaland during the kharif season of 2011 and 2012. The treatments consisted of sole crops of maize and cowpea along with intercropping of maize with cowpea in 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 row proportions. Altogether twenty treatments were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. Higher values of fresh forage yield and dry matter yield was recorded in sole treatments. Among the different row proportions, 1:1 row ratio recorded the highest total fresh forage yield (48.20 t/ha) and it was statistically at par with 2:1 row ratio (48.13 t/ha). In case of total dry matter yield, the highest (14.29 t/ha) was recorded in 2:1 row ratio followed by 1:1 (13.78 t/ha). Intercropping systems of maize + cowpea in 1:1 row ratio recorded higher crude protein, higher total ash content and higher IVDMD than sole in maize. For cowpea, crude protein and crude fibre content were higher in sole treatment while total ash content and IVDMD were higher in 1:1 row ratio. The quality parameters of both maize and cowpea recorded the
Journal of Animal Science, 2021
Evaluation of suitability for different soil test methods for the determination of available nutrients in soils is an important aspect to prescribe the nutrient doses for crops. This study aimed to obtain a simple and efficient soil test method for the determination of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in Mollisols. Soil samples were collected before sowing of both the test crops i.e., direct-seeded rice and wheat in sequence to evaluate the soil test methods for available N, P and K. Methods used were organic carbon & alkaline KMnO4 for available nitrogen, Olsen’s-P, AB-DTPA & Mehlich-1 for available phosphorus and NH4OAc-K, AB-DTPA & Mehlich-1 for available potassium. Multiple regression equations of grain yield with several combinations of selected soil test methods applied nutrient doses and their interactions were worked out for both the crops. Suitability of these methods for given soil nutrients was evaluated by comparison of the R2 values of regression equations. ...
The Pharma Innovation Journal, 2022
Abstract The present investigation was carried out at during summer of 2019 and 2020 at College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) find out the effect of row arrangements and nutrient levels on growth and yield of maize and cowpea intercropping system. The experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate the appropriate row arrangement, nutrient levels and the best interaction of row arrangement and nutrient levels for maize-cowpea intercropping system. The experiment was laid-out in factorial randomized block design keeping five row arrangements and three nutrient levels with three replications. Treatments comprised of five row arrangements viz., sole maize (A1), sole cowpea (A2), maize-cowpea (1:1) (A3), maize-cowpea (1:2) (A4) and maize-cowpea (2:1) and three nutrient levels viz., 75% RDF (F1), 100% RDF (F2) and 125% RDF (F3). Recommended dose of fertilizer used for maize and cowpea were 120:60:40 and 20:40:00 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha respectively. Hybrid variety sugar 75 of maize of Syngenta company and GC-6 of cowpea cultivar released by SDAU, Dantiwada were taken as test crops during the investigation. The results of the experiment showed that, growth parameters of maize viz., plant height of maize was significantly influenced by row arrangement and the highest values were recorded by sole maize. However, significantly the highest the number of functional leaves, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation per plant, cob length (cm), number of cobs per plant, cob diameter (cm) and maize equivalent yield (q/ha) recorded by 2:1 row arrangement over sole maize, sole cowpea, 1:1 and 1:2 row arrangements. The significantly higher green cob yield and straw yield of maize was found under sole cropping over the rest of row arrangements and which was found at par with 2:1 row arrangement. Among the nutrient levels, application of 125% RDF was recorded significantly the higher plant height, number of functional leaves, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation per plant, cob length (cm), number of cobs per plant, cob diameter (cm) and maize equivalent yield (q/ha) over 75% RDF. In case of yield of maize, the higher values for green cob yield, straw yield and biological yield of maize were recorded under sole maize and among the nutrient levels application of 125% RDF application recorded the higher values for green cob yield, straw yield and biological yield. On the basis of maize equivalent yield, significantly higher maize equivalent yield observed under maize-cowpea 2:1 row arrangement with application of 100% RDF and which was found at par with the combination of 2:1 row arrangement with application of 125% RDF.
Intercropping Cowpea with Some Yellow Maize Hybrids Under Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates
Acta Scientific Agriculture, 2020
Field trial was carried out at Sids Agricultural Research Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Beni-Sweif governorate (Lat. 29o 12' N, Long. 31o 01'E, 32 m a.s.l.), Egypt, during 2017 and 2018 summer seasons to study the interaction between three nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (100, 120 and 140 Kg N fed-1) and three yellow maize hybrids (SC 176, TWC 353 and TWC 360) on maize-cowpea association. Treatments were randomly assigned in a split-plot design with three replications. The main plots were devoted to N fertilizer rates. However, the sub-plots were allocated to hybrids of yellow maize. Sole culture plots of both maize and cowpea were included in each replicate for competitive relationships and economic evaluation essays. The highest values of maize grain yield (22.86 and 23.00 ard fed-1) were recorded for yellow maize hybrid SC 176 when the combination received 140 kg N fed-1 whereas the lowest values were recorded for yellow maize hybrid TWC 353 when the combination received 100 kg N fed-1 while the highest values cowpea fresh forage yield (18.75 and 15.59 ton fed-1) were recorded for cowpea intercropped with yellow maize hybrid SC 176 when the combination received 140 kg N fed-1 whereas the lowest values were recorded for cowpea intercropped with yellow maize hybrid TWC 360 when the combination received 100 kg N fed-1 in first and second seasons, respectively. The aggressivity value of maize was positive for all treatments indicating that maize was dominant component whereas the aggressivity value of cowpea was negative for all treatments indicating that cowpea was dominated component in the present study. Results also revealed that intercropping cowpea cv. Cream7 with yellow maize hybrid SC 176 under rate of 140 kg N fed-1 for the combination resulted in maximum values of LER estimated to 1.61 and 1.62, gross income of LE 16,598 and 15,717 and net return of LE 8,301 and 7,420 in first and second seasons, respectively. The study recommends the importance of selecting maize variety (the over-story crop), as short hybrid with less leaf area index, which is preferred to provide a better chance for the growth of cowpea (the under-story crop) when planting cowpea with 100% of its sole culture on the other side of maize rows sown at 100% of its density in sole culture in order to achieve the maximum land equivalent ratio, less competition between both crops, and largest income and net return for farmer.
Agricultural Science Digest, Volume 44 Issue 4: 625-631 (August), 2024
Background: Cereal-legume intercropping is an age-old practice in most of the countries. Among the major cereals, maize is a better choice to include in legume intercropping due to its morphology and wider row spacing. Therefore, legume intercropping in consort with proper nutrient management can enhance overall productivity of the system, further improving crop diversification, nutritional security and agriculture sustainability. Considering these aspects, the present study was performed to examine the growth and productivity of maize as influenced by precision nutrient management and cowpea intercropping. Methods: The present study was carried out during rabi season of 2022-23 at P. G. Research Farm of M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Odisha, India. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with five intercropping combinations and five nutrient management treatments. All the treatments were replicated thrice. The plot size maintained was 5.0 m 4.8 m. In case of maize and cowpea, high yielding hybrid 'JKMH 4510' and 'KBC 9' variety were taken for the study, respectively. Result: The results revealed that the growth parameters were significantly affected by intercropping ratios and nutrient management treatments. Although the yield attributes of maize were differed non significantly among the intercropping treatments but were significantly influenced by the nutrient treatments. In case of grain yield of maize, the Green Seeker-based nutrient management gave highest value with cowpea intercropping ratio of 1:1 and 2:2. LER and ATER were greater than unity, which indicated that the intercropping was advantageous. However, the maximum LER and Area Time Equivalent Ratio (ATER) were obtained from C 3 (M+C 1:2) with 140:70:70 kg N, P 2 O 5 , K 2 O/ha, respectively. The study concluded that intercropping of maize + cowpea in 1:2 row ratio with Green Seeker-based nutrient management were advantageous over pure stand of maize fertilised with conventional nutrient management.
Forage Production Potential of Maize -Cowpea Intercropping in Maichew -Southern Tigray, Ethiopia
Juniper Publishers Inc., , 2018
Needless to mention the ever increasing pressure on cultivated land for food & commercial crops, diminishing the area for forage production. RCBD five treatments with three replications experiment compared maize grown as sole crop with maizecowpea intercropped to assess agronomic, nutritional and economic returns of forage production. Average plant performance ranged 122.85-174.19cm maize plant height; 20.7-26.4cm ear length, & number of leaves/maize plant was 9.13-10.52. The effect of intercropping treatments on maize forage yield was significant (P<0.05), however, there was no significant difference in grain yield among the cropping systems though T5 yielded higher and higher 100 maize grains weight followed by T4 yield and 21.74g average 100 maize grain weight; T3 (3.05ton/ha) and 21.84g average 100 maize seeds and the least in yield was actually the sole maize T2 (2.24ton/ha), confirming that intercropping has at least, some scenario better than sole cropping practices. There was no significant soil NPK effect pre-sowing and postharvest. Nutritionally, feed quality of maize parts was significant difference among the intercropping systems that stated in their descending value of cowpea hay, as follows: NDF (T3>T1>T5>T4); ADF (T1>T5>T3>T4) and typical in CP. lignin content (T1>T5>T4>T3), while IVDMD% (T3>T4>T5>T1). NDF content was significantly higher in maize stem and least in grain. Maize husk significantly over dominated in ADF content than stem, leaf and grain in descending order. ADF content was great significant in the entire parts that maize husk has higher than stem which exceeds leaf. Grain was the least in ADF content of all maize parts. Similarly, maize stem was significantly higher in lignin than husk, leaf and grain. LER was 1.45 in the mixtures indicating yield advantage over sole crops. T4 has the potential for enhancing cowpea and maize performances. Favourable seasons for better DM yield and chemical composition of both crops should be researched.
International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 2019
during 2013 and 2014. To evaluate the yield attributes, yield and competition function of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) intercropping system. The grain yield, stover yield and harvest index of maize were significantly higher in case of pure stand of maize than intercropping systems. Among the integrated nutrient management practices, treatment supplied 75% RDF+PSB+Azotobacter+vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 produced highest seed yield, stover yield, harvest index and yield attributes. The values of seed yield (938 and 943 kg ha-1), stem yield (1421 and 1435 kg ha-1), harvest index of cowpea (40.09 and 39.97%) and yield attributes was significantly higher in sole crop. Among the integrated nutrient management practices, treatment supplied with 75% RDF+ PSB+Azotobacter+vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 produced highest seed yield (833 and 837 kg ha-1), stem yield (1349 and 1358 kg ha-1), harvest index (38.50 and 38.54%) and yield attributes. Maize equivalent yield, competition ratio, LER, RCC, competition index, aggressivity, ATER, LEC and monetary advantage was found to be higher with 2:2 row ratio combinations. Integrated nutrient management practices, maize equivalent yield, competition ratio, LER, RCC, competition index, aggressivity, ATER, LEC and monetary advantage found to be higher under 75% RD F+PSB+Azotobacter+vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha-1. It may be concluded that maize grown as intercrop with cowpea in 2:2 row ratio combinations and supplied with 75% RDF+PSB+Azotobacter+vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 (N 3) is best for obtaining overall gain.
Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 2018
Intercropping is a way to intensify agricultural land use. Cowpea is an important crop in the traditional farming systems in northern Nigeria because it serves to provide food and feed. Although lablab has potential to function in these ways, it remains an underutilized crop because among other factors, there is dearth of information on its incorporation into the system by way of intercropping it with the major cereal crops. A field trial was conducted at Samaru (11º 11'N, 07º 38'E, 686 m asl) in northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria, to evaluate the relative yield and yield components of dual-purpose lablab and cowpea cultivars when gown sole and when intercropped with maize of contrasting maturities. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications. The experiment consisted of early maize maturing cultivar (TZE COMP. 5 W) and a late maize maturing cultivar (TZL COMP. 1 SYN). Cropping system (intercropping and sole cropping) was assigned to the main plot and crop cultivar (lablab: ILRI 4612, NAPRI 2 and cowpea: IT89KD-288, IT99K-241-2) was assigned to subplots. Results showed that intercropping cowpea or lablab into early maturing maize cultivar was more productive than intercropping into late maturing maize cultivar for number of pods (74.4 vs. 63.9), harvest index (0.22 vs. 0.20), grain yield (575.7 vs. 441.0) and fodder yield (2075.4 vs. 1758.2) for the legumes. Lablab cultivars had superior performance than cowpea for number of pods (113.5-114.2 vs. 81.1-81.5) and fodder yield (2968.9-3042.3 vs. 1725.4-1795.9 kg ha-1) whereas cowpea cultivars had superior performance than lablab for harvest index (0.29 vs. 0.17) and grain yield (802.3-833.9 vs. 587.8-632.4 kg ha-1), meaning that both legumes have potential in providing food and feed with lablab producing more fodder and cowpea more grain. Land equivalent ratio showed that intercropping advantage was higher when lablab and cowpea were intercropped with early maturing maize cultivar (1.34, 1.24) than with late maturing maize cultivar (1.10, 1.15). It is recommended that for higher lablab or cowpea/maize productivity in an intercrop, farmers should intercrop dual-purpose cultivars of these crops with maize of earlier maturities.
IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science
Mixtures of cereals and legumes are used extensively for forage production. Maize (Zea mays) and cowpea (Vigna sinensis) monocultures as well as their mixture in three planting patterns (M1: alternate-row intercrop, M2: within-row intercrop, M3: mixed intercrop) were used to investigate on forage yield as well as the effect of intercropping on maize forage quality. The experiment was carried out as randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that intercropping systems had a significant effect on forage dry weight, where dry matter yield was increased by intercropping as compared with maize and cowpea sole crops. It was related with a higher consumption of environmental resources, such as photosynthetically active radiation and soil moisture, by intercropping. Maize forage quality in terms of crude protein was improved by intercropping. It was because of more nitrogen availability for maize in intercropping compared with its sole crop.
Agronomy, 2022
Intercropping maize and forage cowpea is a widely proposed strategy to improve land use efficiency, and maximize the economic value of the farming system, especially in developing countries with restricted resources. The current study was carried out during the successive summers of 2020 and 2021 in Northern Egypt. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of three N schedules (NS1, NS2, NS3), when three different maize–cowpea intercropping patterns (IP1, IP2, IP3) were applied, on the grain yield of maize, forage yield and quality of forage cowpea. In addition, yield gain and land use efficiency were evaluated using the land equivalent ratio (LER) and dry matter equivalent ratio (DMER) indices. Results revealed that the intercropping patterns that provided wider spacings for the component crops and reduced the competition between them, mainly IP3, resulted in the best performances for the two crops. This was clear for maize ear and grain yields, 100-grain weight and harvest ind...