Influence of Pulses Intercropping on Growth and Productivity of Maize (var “Co-1”) in Delta Region of Tamil Nadu

Background: Intercropping legumes in cereals helps to increase crop yields and promotes sustainable agricultural system through complementarily effect through the effective utilisation of radiation, nutrients, plant root interactions and other resources. Methods: The field experiment was conducted, during Kharif season (June to October 2019), at the multi-location field trials (Semmankudi village, Sirkali taluk, Nagapattinam district and Sivapuri village, Chidambaram taluk, Cuddalore district). The maize variety Co-1 was selected for the experiments. As intercrop, Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) (ADT-3), Green gram (Vigna radiate L.) (ADT-3), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) (Co-6), Soybean (Glycine max L.) (Co-1) were raised. Growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and economics were recorded. Result: From the observation it is noted that growth characters such as leaf Area Duration, Crop Growth Rate and Root volume yield attributes and yield, were favourably influence by T1- Maize alone. It was followed by Maize+Black gram (T2). However, T2 (Maize+Black gram) significantly recorded the maximum Net return and benefit cost ratio.