Evaluation of maize based legume intercropping systems

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of the year 2021 at the experimental farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kiphire, Nagaland to assess the response on growth and yield of maize crop as affected by different intercropping systems. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments included sole maize (T1), maize + greengram (T2), maize + french bean (T3), maize + groundnut(T4), maize + cowpea (T5), maize + rice bean (T6) and maize + blackgram (T7). It was found that the growth and yield of the sole crop out-performed the rest of the intercropping system. However, in inter-cropping system, maize + cowpea intercropping produced the highest growth, yield, net income and B:C ratio as compared with the rest of the intercropping system. However, the maize equivalent yield was found to be highest in maize+groundnut system followed by maize+cowpea. It can be said that intercropping of maize with cowpea followed by maize+ groundnut may be considered for adoption by farmers’ of Kiphire district. The intercropping of maize + greengram and maize+blackgram which resulted in the B:C ratio of 3.37 may also be considered for taking up depending on market availability and demand.