ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat-795 004, Imphal, Manipur, India
*Corresponding Author: Temjenna Jamir, DAMU, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kiphire-798 611, ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Nagaland, India, Email: damukiphire@gmail.com
Online Published on 14 December, 2021.
Three-year (2014–2016) field experiment was conducted for evaluation of maize (Zea mays L.) based intercropping system for productivity, profitability, energy budgeting and soil health in Eastern Himalayan region. The treatments consisted of four sole crop viz. maize, soybean, groundnut, cowpea and six intercropping treatments viz. maize + groundnut (1:1), maize + soybean (1:1), maize + cowpea (1:1) and strip cropping of maize + groundnut (4:4), maize + soybean (4:4), maize + cowpea (4:4). The highest maize equivalent yield (10.2 t ha−1) was recorded in maize + groundnut cropping system (1:1) followed by maize + soybean (1:1) with 8.9 t ha−1. The highest SNBC (soil microbial biomass carbon) (66.2 mg g−1) and organic carbon (1.3%) were recorded with the cultivation of cowpea as a sole or intercrop. Strip cropping system, maize + cowpea (4:4) recorded the highest soil available N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha−1, highest energy efficiency (12.53) and energy productivity (955.01 g MJ−1).
Energy, Intercropping, Maize equivalent yield, SNBC, Soil, Strip-cropping
