Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays) as Influenced by Intercropping of French Bean and Soybean

Abstract

Background: The intercropping of maize with legumes is beneficial in multifaceted aspects. Advantages of maize-legume intercropping is pronounced in the form of higher yield and greater utilization of available resources, benefits in weeds, pests and disease management, fixation of biological nitrogen by legumes and transfer of nitrogen to associated maize and control of erosion by covering a large extent of ground area. The current investigation aimed to study the effect of maize-French bean and maize-soybean intercropping on growth and yield of maize under rainfed condition of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh. Methods: The field experiment was conducted during 2021 in randomized block design consisting of 3 treatments i.e. T1- sole maize, T2- maize + French bean and T3- maize + soybean with four replications. Observations on growth and yield parameters and yield of maize were recorded on harvesting of the crop. The results were analysed using standard statistical procedures of ANOVA. Result: In maize + French bean and maize + soybean intercropping, the growth and yield parameters as well as yield of maize was higher in maize + soybean intercropping as compared to maize + French bean system. The grain yield of maize under maize + soybean intercropping was 5541.67 kg ha-1. From this study, it can be concluded that the intercropping of maize with soybean would be profitable due to higher yield of maize (2 rows of maize and 2 rows of soybean) under farmer’s field condition of Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.