Production potential of maize and mustard under different intercropping systems in moisture deficit sub-tropical areas of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Field experiments were conducted at Dryland Research Sub-station, Rakh Dhainsar, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu to study the effect of mustard and on the productivity of maize intercropping system in moisture deficit sub-tropical areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Initially the experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four mustard based intercropping systems as experimental treatments during rabi of 2008–09 and by keeping the rabi imposed intercropping systems as main plot treatments, four new maize based intercropping systems as sub-plot treatments with four replications. The maize from intercropping system of maize + cowpea preceded by mustard + fieldpea registered statistical higher grain and stover yield as that recorded under sole maize preceded by mustard based intercropping systems and it was also produced more number of gains/cob and 1000-grain weight than other intercropping systems preceded by mustard based intercropping systems. Higher nutrient removal by maize was also recorded in maize + cowpea preceded by mustard + fieldpea system.