Drip fertigation in maize (Zea mays) based intercropping system

Field experiments were conducted during kharif 2008 - 2009 at Tamil Nadu agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of drip fertigation on growth, yield and economics of intensive maize based intercropping system. Drip fertigated maize with 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with 50 per cent P and K as water soluble fertilizer recorded significantly higher grain yield followed by 150 per cent RDF. Among the different intercropping systems, radish intercropped with maize registered higher maize grain equivalent yield of 11153 kg ha⁻¹. Drip irrigation saved water upto 43 per cent, besides enhancing the water use efficiency. Higher net returns (Rs. 56858) and B:C ratio (3.24) were obtained under dripfertigation with 150 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer and radish as intercrop.