Response of nitrogen in maize (Zea mays)-based intercropping system

A two years field experiment consisting of 4 cropping systems viz., sole maize (Zea mays) (60 cm), sole maize (45/90 cm), maize + urdbean (45/90 cm) and maize + soybean (45/90 cm) and 4 levels of N applied to maize (i.e. 0,40,80 and 120 kg N/ha) was conducted during rainy seasons of 1992-93 and 1993-94, to study the effect of cropping systems and nitrogen levels on growth, yield attributes, yield and nitrogen uptake of maize. Planting of maize either with urdbean or soybean significantly increased LAI, grain yield, maize equivalents and nitrogen uptake of maize over sole crop of maize during both the years. The highest grain yield of maize and N uptake was recorded in maize + urdbean whereas maize grain equivalent was recorded the highest with maize + soybean. Growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, maize grain equivalent yield and total nitrogen uptake by maize increased significantly with increasing doses of N applied to maize.