Production potential and economic viability of maize based intercropping system in Kandi region of Punjab

Studies were conducted during kharif 2011 and 2012 to find out suitable inter crop for paired row maize planting system. The results revealed that all the maize-based intercropping systems except maize (paired rows 30/60 cm) + sesame (2 rows) gave higher maize equivalent yield than sole maize. Maize + blackgram and maize + greengram were better than maize + sesame combinations for grain yield and competitive parameters. Maximum land equivalent ratio was obtained in maize + blackgram and maize + greengram intercropping systems indicating better utilization of resources in these systems. Relative crowding coefficients revealed that maize was a dominant crop with all the intercrops tested, whereas, among the intercrops, paired row of maize + one row of greengram was the best option. The highest water-use efficiency was recorded under maize + one row of greengram (5.76 kg/ha/mm), followed closely by maize + two rows of blackgram.