All-India Co-ordinated Project for Research on Forage Crops, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, 284 003
A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons (kharif) of 1999, 2000 and 2001, to study the production potential and economic feasibility of maize (Zea mays L.) + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] intercropping under rainfed conditions. Pooled analysis of data indicated that intercropping of maize and cowpea in the row proportion of 2:2 recorded significantly higher total green fodder (338.3 q/ha), dry matter (83.0 q/ha) and crude protein yield (10.3 q/ha) as well as net returns (Rs 8,346/ha) over other treatments. However, benefit: cost ratio for maize (sole) was higher (1.78) than the other treatment except maize+cowpea planted in the row ratio of 2:1 (2.04), 2:2 (2.21) and mixed seed in the same row (1:1) (1.89). Monetary advantage ranged from Rs 38 with intercropping of maize and cowpea in the row ratio of 1:4 to Rs 2,427 (check) under maize + cowpea (2:2) and was negative with intercropping of maize and cowpea in a row ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 land-equivalent ratio was more than 1 in all intercropping systems except maize and cowpea planted in the row ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 maximum being with maize + cowpea (2:2) intercropping system (LER 1.41).
Forage, Maize, Cowpea, Intercropping, Economics, Land-equivalent ratio
