Effect of N, K and Inter-row Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Intercropped Maize and Groundnut

Abstract

Three separate field experiments were conducted to study the effect of N, K and Inter - row spacing on the growth and yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) CV. X-14 when intercropped with Maize (Zea maye L.) CV. Badra. There were six Nitrogen rates (i.e. 0,10,20,30,40 and 50kg ha1) in experiment 1 , six Potassium rates (i.e. 0,10,20,30,40 and 50 kg ha 1) in experiment 2 and three inter-row spacings (ie. 30cm, 37.5cm and 45cm) with and without root barrier in experiment 3. Maize and Groundnut were grown in a 1 Maize: 3 Groundnut row arrangements in all treatments. The N requirement of maize /X-14 intercrop is different from that of sole crops. The optimum Nitrogen rates for maximum growth and yield erformance was 40 kg ha' 1 which, is lower than the recommended rate (60 kg ha'1) for sole crop Maize and higher than the recommended rate (35 kg ha1) for solé crop Groundnut. K was not affecting on growth and yield of maize/X-14 intercrop, this is because of high K conteni of the soil (26.07 ppm) of the experimental site. The optimum inter-row spacing was 37.5cm. Root barrier was not beneficial in inter-row spacing at 30cm and 45cm but dry matter yield and combined biomass yield was increased with the presence of root barrier at the inter-row spacing of 37.5cm.