Yield and nutrient uptake of winter maize (Zea mays) with vegetable intercropping

A field experiment was carried out during winter season of 2010–2011 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to assess the effect of winter maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped with vegetables such as radish (Raphanus sativus L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and carrot (Daucus carota) on yield and nutrient uptake. Grain and straw yield, harvest index and shelling percentage of maize with all the intercropping systems were lower than the sole cropping of maize. Protein content (8.59%) and protein yield (593.41 kg ha⁻¹) were highest in sole cropping of maize (normal planting) than intercropped maize, but organic carbon (0.30%) and organic matter (0.53%) were recorded highest in intercropping treatments. Values of land equivalent ratio with all the intercropping systems were greater indicating advantage in yield, land-use efficiency and monetary return unit⁻¹ time and space over the respective monocultures. Maize (paired)+ carrot was proved to be the most efficient, productive and remunerative cropping system as it gave the highest maize equivalent yield (28.25 t ha⁻¹) and also accounted for higher values for net returns (184.8 x 10³ ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (3.86) compared to other intercropping systems. Intercropping increased total N, P and K uptake by grain and stover of maize. Among intercropping systems, highest total NPK uptake were recorded in the maize (paired) + spinach intercropping system, followed by maize + carrot and minimum in maize + radish.