Productivity and economics of kharif fodder intercropping under dryland condition of temperate Kashmir valley

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season for two consecutive years at Research Farm of Sher-eKashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus (Jammu & Kashmir) to find out productivity and profitability of kharif fodder crops viz., maize (African Tall) and sorghum (M.P. Chari), intercropping each with fodder cowpea (UPC 9202) through uniform row (1:1) and paired rows (2:1 and 2:2) series of additive intercropping system. In the additive uniform row (1:1) series, each row of cowpea was accommodated between two uniform rows of maize or sorghum spaced at 45 cm. In paired row series, each pair of maize and sorghum was planted with 30 cm space between rows in the pair. The inter space between two pairs of these cereal fodders rows was 60 cm. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design and replicated thrice. The pooled data of two years revealed that total green and dry fodder yields of maize + cowpea (24.1 and 5.46 t/ha, respectively) and sorghum + cowpea (23.9 and 5.40 t/ha, respectively) were higher with uniform row series (1:1) of intercropping system. Total crude protein yield was also higher with uniform series of both the fodder intercropping systems. However, system productivity of 21.2 t/ha of green fodder in terms of cowpea equivalent yield in maize + cowpea was higher than sorghum + cowpea intercropping system. With uniform series of 1:1, fodder maize showed comparatively less aggressivity (dominance) than fodder sorghum intercropped with cowpea. Yield advantage in terms of land equivalent ratio (LER) of maize + cowpea was relatively higher than sorghum + cowpea under all series intercropping. The maximum net return and benefit: cost ratio was also higher with the uniform series of maize + cowpea intercropping system (Rs 6,400/ha, 1.00). Thus uniform row (1:1) series of intercropping system involving fodder maize and fodder cowpea could be a productive and profitable intercropping system under dryland condition of temperate Kashmir valley.