Comparative Performance and Production Potential of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) with Urdbean (Vigna mungo) and Mungbean (Vigna radiata) under Different Planting Patterns in Alluvial Soil

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2013 on sandy loam soil. The experiment aimed to evaluate the performance of hybrid maize with urdbean and mungbean under different planting patterns. In this investigation, 9 treatment combinations viz., maize with normal (1:1), paired (2:2) and strip (3:3) planted urdbean (Vigna mungo) and mungbean (Vigna radiata) along with all the three crops in their sole stands were tested in randomized block design with 3 replications. The study revealed that strip planted maize+urdbean (3:3) being on par with maize+mungbean (3:3) recorded significantly highest values of growth parameters, nodulation habitat, yield attributes and yield of maize in terms of grain yield (45.6 q/ha) and stover yield (77.8 q/ha), except phenological parameters and mortality %. In terms of protein in maize grains and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in grains and stover, strip (3:3) planted maize proved its superiority over sole and normal (1:1) planted maize. Likewise, in intercrops, all the growth parameters, yields, nutrients content and protein yield were statistically superior in their sole as compared to normal (1:1), paired (2:2) and strip (3:3) planting with maize, except plant height.