Forage Production Potential and Economics of Maize (Zea mays) with Legumes Intercropping under Different Methods of Sowing

摘要

A field experiment was carried out at Agricultural College Farm, Baptla, Andhrapradesh during kharif 2011 to select a suitable intercrop combination for fodder maize under different methods of sowing and to study the economics of this fodder based intercropping systems. Results of the experiment indicated that the treatment combination involving maize in pairs + cowpea produced the highest tonnage of green fodder (50.1 t ha~(-1)), dry fodder (14.2 t ha~(-1)'),-and drymatter of 9205 kg ha~(-1). This combination also recorded the maximum gross return (28,448Rs ha~(-1)), net return (14,783 Rs ha~(-1)), and returns per rupee investment of 2.1. Among the legumes, cowpea was found to be the best intercrop for fodder maize.