Conservation and production ability of maize (Zea mays) legume intercropping systems under varying dates of sowing

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 1993 and 1 994 on 2% sloping field at the Central Soil Conservation Research Farm, Sel akui, Dehra Dun, on intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) and soybean [Glyci ne max (L.) Merr.] and their sole stands under early (10 June), normal (25 June) and late (10 July) dates of sowing. Intercropping of cowpea and black gram with maize gave higher maize-equivalent yields (35.28 and 33.50 q/ha r espectively) than sole maize (28.00 q/ha). Intercropping also resulted in h igher maize-equivalent yields than respective sole legume stands by 125.86, 128.05 end 265.00% under maize + cowpea, maize + blackgram and maize + soy bean respectively. Normal sowing gave higher maize-equivalent yield (30.10 q/ha) than early sowing (22.66 q/ha) and late sowing (18.45 q/ha). Cowpea a nd blackgram in sole stands had higher canopy, followed by their intercropp ing with maize, and normal sowing developed canopy faster than early or lat e sowing. Maximum net return (Rs 9,433/ha) was obtained under normal time o f sowing of maize + cowpea.