Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Maize (Zea mays L.) Based Intercropping System under Terai Region of West Bengal

Aims: To increase the area of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Walp. intercropping system and also to create the awareness about the integrated nutrient management practices in intercropping system of farmers of this region.

Study Design: Split –plot design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: Instructional Farm of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar during pre kharif season of 2014-2015.

Methodology: Four levels of cropping system C1- sole maize, C2-sole cowpea, C3-maize + cowpea (2:2) and C4- maize + cowpea (2:4) were assigned to main plots and four levels of integrated nutrient management N1: 100% RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers) 80:40:40 kg ha-1 of N: P2O5: K2O, N2:100% RDF + phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) + Azotobacter, N3:75% RDF + PSB+ Azotobacter + vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t ha-1 and N4: 50% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter + 50% vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 for sub plot.

Results: Among the cropping systems, yield attributes, yield and harvest index was recorded highest under sole crop of maize but when maize grown as intercrop 2:2 row ratio combinations produced highest yield attributes, yield and harvest index as compare to 2:4 row ratio combination. In case of integrated nutrient management, treatment supplied with 75% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter + vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t ha-1 (N3) produced highest yield attributes, yield and harvest index was recorded under 100% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter (N2). However, the productivity of system in terms of LER, relative crowding co-efficient (RCC), competition ratio (CR) and aggressivity was found to be higher with 2:2 row ratio combination followed by 2:4 row ratio combination. Among the integrated nutrient management, the productivity of system in terms of LER, relative crowding co-efficient (RCC), competition ratio (CR) and aggressivity found to be higher under 75% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter + vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t ha-1 (N3).

Conclusion: It may be concluded that integrated nutrient management practices increases the yield attributes, yield, harvest index and competition function of maize and cowpea intercropping system and supplied with 75% RDF + PSB + Azotobacter + vermicompost (VC) @ 5.0 t ha-1 (N3) overall gain on sustainable basis.