Fodder productivity and profitability of different maize and legume intercropping systems

Abstract

The present study was conducted in summer (kharif) 2017 to evaluate the fodder productivity and economics of maize with legumes under varying intercropping combinations. This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with 7 treatments consisting of 3 different forage crops, viz. maize, cowpea and guar sown in sole as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage cereal with legume crop components in three replications. All the growth parameters like plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, number of tillers/branches, stem girth and leaf:stem ratio were significantly higher in (1:1) row ratio of forage cereal/ millet intercropped with legume component at the time of harvest. Among the different forage crops, maximum green fodder yield (449.72 q/ha) and dry matter yield (94.89 q/ha) were obtained in maize+cowpea (2:1) and maize+guar (2:1), respectively. Total uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus was recorded highest with maize + cowpea/guar (2:1) intercropping combinations. Introduction of different forage crops in varying intercropping combinations, the soil nutrient status after harvesting was improved over sole treatment of forage cereal/millet crop. In terms of economics of different treatments, the highest net income (` 38747.27) and B:C ratio (1.78) were recorded with maize+cowpea (2:1) followed by (` 37724.21 and B:C 1.74) in maize+ cowpea (1:1) intercropping combinations. So, to realize higher productivity and farm profitability the planting of 2:1 row ratio is a viable option which may quite helpful to sustain the performance of livestock in terms of health and milk production.