Effect of integrated Nutrient Management practices on physiological and yield traits of Maize (Zea mays L.) + Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) intercropping system in Northwestern agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu
Gokulakannan K. and D. Kumarimanimuthu Veeral
Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram – 608002 (India) Email: gokulakannan.agri@gmail.com and dkmveeral@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Unbalanced use of chemical fertilizers were causing serious problem in Northwestern agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. Proper nutrient management and cropping systems are essential to maximize the production and sustain agricultural production while minimizing the negative impacts of soil fertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the suitable nutrient management practices for the maize + cowpea intercropping system in Northwestern Agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. The field experiment was conducted at Ramarkoodal village, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu during Rabi 2020. This experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. There were altogether twelve treatments viz., T1 - 100 % RDF (135:62.5:50 kg NPK ha-1) + FYM at 12.5t/ha, T2 – 100% RDF NPK ha-1+ Bio compost @ 12.5t ha-1, T3 –100% RDF NPK ha-1+ Vermicompost @ 5t ha-1, T4 - 75% RDF NPK ha-1+ FYM @ 12.5t ha-1+Maize maxim, T5 –75% RDF NPK ha-1+ Bio compost @ 12.5t/ha +Maize maxim, T6 - 75% RDF NPK/ha + Vermicompost @5t ha-1+ Maize maxim, T7 -75% RDF NPK ha-1+ FYM @ 12.5t ha-1+Panchagavya at 3%, T8 –75 % RDF NPK ha-1+ Bio compost @ 12.5t ha-1+ Panchagavya @ 3%, T9 –75% RDF NPK ha-1+ Vermicompost @ 5t ha-1+ Panchagavya @ 3%, T10- 50% RDF NPK ha-1+ FYM @ 12.5t ha-1+Maize maxim +Panchagavya @ 3%, T11-50% RDF NPK ha-1+ Bio compost @ 12.5t ha-1+Maize maxim +Panchagavya at 3% and T12- 50% RDF NPK ha-1+Vermicompost @ 5t/ha+ Maize maxim +Panchgavya @ 3%. The result indicated that the highest growth characters were recorded in T12- means application of 50% RDF NPK ha-1 and Vermicompost @ 5t ha-1 along with foliar spray of Maize maxim 7.5kg ha-1 and Panchgavya @3% during tassel initiation and grain filling stage might be an appropriate integrated nutrient management practices on growth and yield of maize with due care on soil fertility.