Evaluation of maize based inter cropping system as influenced by planting geometry and weed management practices

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2016 and 2017 at the Research Farm, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre to study of the effect of planting geometry and weed management practices on maize (Zea mays L.) based intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with twelve treatments and replicated three times. The results revealed that different planting geometry patterns did not affect the growth and yield attributes at any stage of growth of maize. Growth attributes tended to increase with advancement of growth and maximum values were recorded at 90 DAS. The highest grain and stover yields of maize were recorded as 2.54 t ha-1 and 4.98 t ha-1 from the maize + soybean (2:2) planting geometry. Weed management practices had significant effect over weedy check on plant growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and stover yields except test weight of maize. The highest grain (2.87 t ha-1) and stover yields (5.55 t ha-1) of maize were recorded with two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAS which was at par with pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg a.i.ha-1 + 1 HW at 30 DAS.