Response of Nitrogen Fertilization on Maize ( Zea mays ) Performance Under Intercropping Systems in Udayapur District

Intercropping, an intensive agricultural cropping system, has been widely practiced since ancient civilizations for its enhanced yield and nutrient acquisition advantages. It significantly contributes to more efficient land use, increased income, and food production per area, while also reducing the risks of crop loss for small‐scale farmers. Most farmers employ intercropping practices at the small household level, often accompanied by the addition of a specific dose of nitrogen. Nitrogen has a significant impact on the vegetative growth of plants. A maize–soybean and maize–cowpea intercropping was conducted to assess the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on biomass production and distribution of essential nutrients in various plant parts (root, above‐ground shoot biomass, and seed) of maize–soybean intercropping (MSI), as well as maize–cowpea intercropping (MCI). The maize, soybean, and cowpea varieties were Arun‐2, Puja (local breed), and Kashi Kanchan, respectively. The experiment was conducted in a two‐factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, and nine treatments were used for research purposes. The growth parameters of the crop, namely, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index (LAI), first ear height, ear girth, ear length, ear weight, kernel weight, number of kernels in each kernel line of the cob, and number of kernel lines in the cob, were significantly influenced by a higher nitrogen dose. However, intercropping with cowpeas and using the complete 100% nitrogen recommendation yielded the highest benefit–cost ratio, sensitivity analysis, and the maize grain equivalent yield (MEY). Thus, the results of this experiment suggest to farmers the benefits of using intercropping or maize cultivation with 100% of the recommended nitrogen dose compared to regular maize cultivation at a specific nitrogen dose.