Effect of maize (Zea mays) based legume intercropping on growth and yield attributes of succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum) and economics

The yield of maize (Zea mays L.) was not influenced significantly by interc rops in different maize-based legume intercroppings; however the effect was significant when maize-equivalent yields were studied with sole crop. The plant height in succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paol. ) was not influenced by the intercrop treatment, but other characters, viz, number of spikes/m(2), mean ear length, mean number of grains/ear, 1,000-g rain weight, grain and straw yields, were influenced significantly by vario us intercrops treatments. The response to N was found to be linear up to 12 0 kg N/ha, indicating further higher requirement of nitrogen for wheat crop . Crop rotations with maize + soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (with straw removal) and maize + blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) (with straw incorporati on) were found to give higher returns than other combinations.