Studies on planting patterns of maize (Zea mays L.) facilitating legumes intercropping

Abstract

Effect of planting patterns and intercropping of legumes in maize was studied at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad on a sandy clay loam soil during autumn 2004. The planting pattern of maize comprised 60 cm spaced single rows, 90 cm spaced double row strips, 90 cm spaced single rows and 135 cm spaced double row strips, while intercrops were mungbean and soybean. The results revealed that soybean + maize in 90 cm spaced double row strips gave maximum maize grain yield (6.71 t/ha). Maximum land equivalent ratio (1.62) was also recorded in 90-cm spaced double row strips, intercropped with soybean. Similarly all intercropping systems gave substantially higher net income over mono-cropping with higher net income (Rs.56043.50/ha) in case of maize + soybean followed by sole crop of maize (Rs.52653.50 t/ha).