Maize+Legume intercropping response to different levels of nitrogen

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 2014 on research farm of CPGS (CAU-Imphal), Umiam (Meghalaya) to study the effect of varying N levels in maize-legume intercropping as per recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) for the respective crops. Maize intercropped with soybean recorded significantly more stover and biological yield over groundnut intercropped maize however, maize grain yield was at par in both the intercropping systems. Maize+soybean also recorded relatively higher uptake of N by maize grain, stover and their total however, the difference between both the intercrops was at par for these entire N uptake in maize. All N treated plots recorded significantly higher values of yield attributes and N uptake over control where the maximum value was associated with 75% RDN of maize to maize + 25% RDN of maize to IC. Grain, stover and biological yield was significantly higher in intercrop groundnut over intercrop soybean. The yield of legume intercrops increased only up to 50% RDN of IC to IC. Maize+groundnut intercrop gave significantly higher maize equivalent yield, net return and B: C ratio and also left significantly more residual N in soil over maize+soybean intercrop. Statistically at par, MEY at maize60 + IC10 with maize80 + IC20 opened the possibility of saving of 30 kg N ha-1 in maize+legume intercrop.