Response of Maize+mashbean Intercropping System to Planting Geometry and Nutrient Management in Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in during kharif season 20 ll-12 at Crop Research Centre (Chirauri) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) to study the maize+mashbean intercropping system to planting geometry and nutrient management and its effect on soil health. The soil of the experimental field was well drained, sandy loam in texture and slightly alkaline in reaction. It was medium in organic carbon, available ·nitrogen and available phosphorus but high in available P?tassium with an electrical conductivity ( l :2, soil: water suspension) of 1.6 dS/m. The treatments comprised 2 cropping systems (maize+mashbean and maize alone), 2 planting geometries (normal and paired planting) and 3 fertility levels (control, l 00% NPK and I OO%NPK + Zn + PSB), replicated thrice in a factorial randomized block design. The results indicated that growth parameters (plant height, plant spread and dry matter accumulation per plant), yield attributes (such as, cob length, number of cobs per plant, number of grains/cob and grain yield/plant,), yields (grain, stover and biological) per hectare and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in maize were significantly superior in maiz~+mashbean intercropping systems than their sole cropping. Likewise, paired planting geometry and fertility level of I 00% NPK +Zn+PSB resulted into higher values of above mentioned parameters than their respective counterparts. In mashbean, all the growth parameters, yield attributes, yields and nitrogen uptake were statistically superior under normal planting (50 em) as compared to 30/70 em paired planting geometry. Maize+mashbean intercropping also produces highest maize grain equivalent yield and land equivalent ratio. Maize+mashbean intercropping with recommended NPK +Zn+PSB to maize also gave highest gross and net returns under paired planting. Besides, this combination also improves the soil nutrient status Advisor ,