Bio-economic evaluation of maize (Zea mays) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) intercropping in drought-prone areas of Chotonagpur plateau region of Jharkhand

A field experiment was conducted at Giridish farm of Chotonagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand state during 1997–98 and 1998–99 for bio-economical evaluation of maize (Zea mays L.)-groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) intercropping system in rainfed Alfisols at varying doses of nitrogen (0, 30 and 60 kg/ha). Higher values of land -equivalent ratio, competition ratio, monetary advantage and area-time equivalent ratio were obtained by maize+ groundnut in 2:2 row ratio than that of 1:1 row ratio, and 30 kg N/ha recorded bettter performance than 60 kg N/ha. The uptake of NPK was found maximum (300.62 kg/ha) by maize + groundnut (2:2), higher than that of 1:1 row ratio (276.20 kg/ha) and least was by sole groundnut (132.20 kg/ha). Sole groundnut recorded significantly high maize-equivalent yield (79.28 q/ha), net returns (Rs. 23,238/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.38), followed by maize+ groundnut in 2:2 ratio (62.26 q/ha, Rs 18,595/ha and 2.32 respectively). The yield of maize did not vary much for intercropping, but the pod yield of groundnut was reduced by 52. 2% and 47.7% by intercropping with maize.