Effect of maize-based intercropping system on nutrient uptake and yield of crops in southern dry zone of Karnataka.

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2013 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, VC Farm, Mandya to study the effect of maize-based intercropping system on nutrient uptake and yield of crops in southern dry zone of Karnataka. Treatments consisted of sole crops and different row proportions of maize + intercrops (pigeon pea, soybean and field bean). Intercropping increased total N, P and K uptake enhancing grain and stover/haulm yield of maize and intercrops. Among intercropping systems highest total nutrient uptake of maize was recorded in T4 (Paired-row maize with pigeon pea at 45/75 cm spacing, 126.93, 30.28 and 120.93 kg/ha NPK respectively) as compared to T10 (Sole maize, 102.77, 22.73 and 96.97 kg/ha NPK respectively) being on par with all other treatments except T3 (Paired-row maize intercropped with field bean at 30/90 cm spacing) and T9 (Maize + field bean, 1:1). Among intercropped pulses pigeon pea recorded higher nutrient uptake followed by field bean and soybean. The combined effect of paired-row maize with pigeon pea at 45/75 cm spacing recorded the highest kernel (8539 kg/ha) and stover (7831 kg/ha) yield.