Productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays L.) + vegetable intercropping systems using maize as live trellis and resource conservation in rainfed uplands of Odisha

A trial was conducted during 2007 to 2009 at research farm of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Phulbani in the North-Eastern Ghats Zone of Odisha with an objective to assess crop compatibility, productivity, profitability and sustainability of trailing vegetable + maize intercropping systems. Maize crop was sown during the second fortnight of June and vegetables were sown 15 days after sowing (DAS) of maize. Among the vegetables in maize based intercropping systems, ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb.) recorded the highest yield of 5.98 t ha−1 followed by cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) (5.12 t ha−1) and cowpea (Vigna sinensis Savi) (3.04 t ha−1). The highest green cob equivalent yield of 16.60 t ha−1 was observed with maize + ridge gourd system which was at par with maize + cowpea system (16.52 t ha−1). Among different systems, maize + ridge gourd was the most profitable with average net return of 45, 000 ha−1 and B: C ratio of 2.18 followed by maize+cowpea with net return of 44, 600 ha −1 and B: C ratio of 2.17. The highest net energy output was observed with maize + cowpea (13, 244 MJ ha−1) followed by maize + ridge gourd (10, 363 MJ ha−1). Maize + ridge gourd system recorded the highest rainwater use efficiency (RWUE) (14.52 kg ha-mm−1) followed by maize + cowpea (14.45 kg ha-mm−1) compared to sole maize of 9.30 kg ha-mm−1. Nutrient uptake studies indicated that maize + cowpea system provided net positive nitrogen balance of 25.1 kg ha−1. In all the intercropping systems, phosphorus recorded net negative balance and potassium recorded net positive balance at the end of cropping season irrespective of intercropping systems.