Effect of planting pattern and nitrogen on fodder maize (Zea mays) intercropped with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

A field experiment was conducted during 1991 and 1992 under rainfed conditi on in clay loam soil with different planting patterns and nitrogen manageme nt in maize (Zea mays L.)+ cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] intercropp ing and mixed cropping system for getting higher fodder yield. Green and dr y fodder yields of maize + cowpea mixed cropping at 30 cm (24.36 and 4.32 t onnes/ha) and 45 cm (20.30 and 3.27 ton nes/ha) were significantly higher o ver maize alone. Intercropping of maize and cowpea (30 + 60 cm) could produ ce 8.26% higher crude protein. Nitrogen application had significant linear response. At 180 kg N/ha green and dry fodder yields of 27.14 and 5.13 tonn es/ha were recorded. Higher N application lowered crude fibre content.