Productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays) as influenced by intercropping of raj mash (Phaseolus vulgaris) and nutrient management techniques under sub-alpine conditions of Jammu, India

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2011 and 2012 at Sartangal to study the effect of intercropping and nutrient management on productivity and profitability of cultivating maize under sub-alpine conditions of Jammu. The inter-cropping systems were sole maize, sole rajmash, maize + rajmash in a 1: 1 row (1 rows of maize alternating with 1 row of rajmash) and maize + rajmash in 2: 1 row (2 rows of maize alternating with 1 row of rajmash). The nutrient management treatments were, T1 =control (no fertility), T₂ = 100% NPK (RDF, recommended dose of fertilizers), T₃ = 75% RDF + 25% N through farmyard manure (FYM) and T₄=50% RDF + 50% N (FYM). Among cropping system maize + rajmash (1: 1) produced highest maize grain equivalent yield (MEY, 7772 kg ha⁻¹), net returns (INR 52190 ha⁻¹), B: C ratio (1.81), land equivalent ratio (LER, 1.40) and area time equivalent ratio (ATER, 1.38). Whereas among nutrient management techniques, 75% RDF + 25% N (FYM) produced highest MEY (7681 kg ha⁻¹), net returns (INR 52585 ha⁻¹) and B: C ratio of 1.88 with highest LER (1.36) and ATER (1.33).