Effect of nutrient-and moisture-management practices on crop productivity, water-use efficiency and energy dynamics in rainfed maize (Zea mays) + soybean (Glycine max) intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2012 at New Delhi, to study the effect of cropping systems, nutrient-and moisture-management practices on productivity and water-use efficiency (WUE) of maize (Zea mays L.) + soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] intercropping system under rainfed conditions. Treatment com- prised 2 cropping systems (maize sole and paired row planting maize + soybean) and 2 moisture-management practices (control and Kaolin 6% + organic mulch) in main plots, and 4 nutrient levels, viz. control, 50% recom- mended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through FYM, 50% RDF + 50% RDN through vermicompost and 100% RDF in subplots of splitplot design. However, maize-equivalent yield (3.47 t/ha) was the highest under paired row planting maize + soybean. The 100% RDF registered significantly higher grain yield (2.99 t/ha) of maize over control (2.03 t/ha) and 50% RDF+ 50% RDN through FYM (2.74 t/ha), 50% RDF+ 50% RDN through vermicompost (2.85 t/ha). Paired-row planted maize + soybean also registered more consumptive use (CU) of water (331.7 mm) than sole maize (324.6 mm). Moisture-conservation practices showed considerable variation in CU. Maximum water-use efficiency (WUE) was recorded with Kaolin 6% + or- ganic mulch. Fertility levels also influenced the CU with highest value with100% RDF (330 mm) followed by 50% RDF + 50% RDN through vermicompost (329.1 mm). Significantly higher WUE was observed under paired row planted maize + soybean (10.9 kg/hamm). Cropping systems altered the soil-moisture extraction pattern in all the 3 layers (015, 1530 and 3045 cm). Energy output, energy input and energy-use efficiency was higher in paired-row planted maize + soybean, Kaolin 6% + organic mulch and 100% RDF than their respective counter- parts.