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Establishment of a high-yield intercropping system for maize and legumes under rainfed conditions in eastern Bhutan.

Authors :
Thinley, Kinzang
Sithup, Kinley
Choden, Tshering
Wangmo, Passang
Deki, Sonam
Dema, Tashi
Wangmo, Kinley
Katsura, Keisuke
Source :
Plant Production Science; Aug2024, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p170-184, 15p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Maize-legume intercropping is a sustainable strategy to improve maize production for smallholder farmers. Maize is a staple food crop in Bhutan and integration of legumes with maize has been considered as an alternative option towards enhancing maize production in the country. Here, we conducted two studies in eastern Bhutan: first study (2021) to identify suitable legumes for intercropping with maize and second study (2022) to evaluate the effects of different maize-soybean intercropping patterns on grain yield, land use efficiency, and economic benefits. The maize-soybean intercropping system showed better productivity and economic viability than the kidney bean and groundnut systems in both the sites. Row intercropping and strip intercropping with 2 rows of maize alternating with 2 rows of soybean (2 M:2S) spaced 0.3 × 0.3 m showed stable and consistently higher grain yield at Lingmethang and Wengkhar (LING = 6.05 t ha<superscript>−1</superscript>; WENG = 8.37 t ha<superscript>−1</superscript>). The land equivalent ratio (LING = 1.78; WENG = 1.73) and net return (0.16 million Nu. ha<superscript>−1</superscript> for LING and 0.21 million Nu. ha<superscript>−1</superscript> for WENG) were notably higher for these intercropping methods. Our results suggest that the integration of legumes between conventional maize planting density, row intercropping and strip intercropping (2 M:2S) spaced at 0.3 × 0.3 m would be beneficial for achieving higher productivity for smallholder farmers in eastern Bhutan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1343943X
Volume :
27
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Plant Production Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178714024
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/1343943X.2024.2354544