International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2017, Volume : 5, Issue : 5
First page : (693) Last page : (699)
Article doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.2776
Effect of Legumes as Intercrop in Maize (Zea mays L.) On Soil Fertility, Maize Equivalent Yield and Nutrient Recycling
G. K. Girijesh1*, M. Basavaraj1, Sharanabasappa2 and N. S. Renukaswamy1
1Department of Agronomy, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga,
Karnataka (577 216), India
2Department of Agriculture Entomology, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka (577 216), India
*Corresponding Author E-mail: gk.girijesh@gmail.com
Received: 31.03.2017 | Revised: 29.04.2017 | Accepted: 5.05.2017
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2005 and 2006 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Shimoga, on red sandy loam soil to find out the effect of different intercrops in maize on soil fertility and yield in Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka. The experiment consisted 18 treatments, involving sole crop of maize at uniform row spacing (URS) and in paired row system (PR), sole crop of different intercrops and intercropping system treatments in paired row system (45-75-45 cm) as additional series were laid out in CRBD and replicated thrice. Increase in soil pH and EC was noticed due to introduction of pulse crops in maize as intercrops. Significantly higher soil organic carbon was noticed in plots grown with sole crop of pulses. Even the intercrop treatments recorded significantly higher soil organic carbon than sole crop of maize. The highest organic carbon content was recorded in the plots under maize + field bean var. local (0.573) followed by maize + red gram. Higher available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were noticed in plots under sole stands of intercrops (pulses) than sole crop of maize as well. Besides, intercrop treatments too recorded significantly higher available nutrients (NPK) than sole maize. Among intercrop treatments, maize + local field bean) and maize + red gram var. BRG-1 (257.5 kg ha-1) have recorded higher available nutrients than others.
Key words: Maize, Intercropping, Organic Carbon, Recycling and Soil fertility
Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782
Cite this article: Girijesh, G.K., Basavaraj, M., Sharanabasappa and Renukaswamy, N.S., Effect of Legumes as Intercrop in Maize (Zea mays L.) On Soil Fertility, Maize Equivalent Yield and Nutrient Recycling, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.5(5): 693-699 (2017). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.2776
