Effect of NP fertilization and stress-mitigating chemicals on productivity and profitability of summer cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) intensified with baby corn (Zea mays)

Abstract

A field study was carried out during the summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 at research farm of Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan, to study the effect of NP fertilization and stress mitigating chemicals on productivity and profitability of summer cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) and baby corn (Zea mays L.) intercropping system. The experiment was conducted in a split-split plot design with 5 intercropping systems [sole cowpea, sole baby corn, cowpea + baby corn (2: 1), (3: 1) and (4: 1)] in main plot; 3 fertility levels (100, 125 and 150% RDF) in sub-plot and 2 stress-mitigating chemicals (0.5% CaCl2 and 1.0% KNO3 at flowering and pod development stage of cowpea) in sub-subplot, replicated 4 times. Intercropping in 2:1 row ratio of cowpea and baby corn significantly increased the cowpea equivalent-yield, monetary advantage index, land equivalent ratio and economics of intercropping system while the yield of cowpea and baby corn was significantly higher under their sole crops. In sub-plots cowpea-equivalent yield, land-equivalent ratio, monetary advantage index, profitability, seed and cob yield of cowpea, and baby corn were higher with the fertility level of 150% over lower levels. Our results further indicated that 0.5% of CaCl2 significantly enhanced the cowpea-equivalent yield, monetary advantage index and economics of intercropping system and yield of cowpea and baby corn over 1% KNO3. Cowpea should be intercropped as 2:1 row ratio with fertilization of 150% RDF and foliar application of CaCl2 @0.5% at flowering and pod development stage of cowpea is recommended to achieve significantly higher productivity and profitability.

Keywords

• Intercropping, LER, MAI, NP fertilization, Productivity, Profitability, Stress mitigation