Productivity of maize (Zea mays) under different crop sequences and irrigation regimes

Abstract

A two year field experiment was conducted at Research farm of Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during kharif 2016 and khari/2011.The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with seven maize (Zea mays L.) based crop sequences, viz.maize-wheat, maize-potato-mentha + onion, maize + cowpea (f> potato-mentha + onion, maize + cowpea (0-potato-spring maize, maize + cowpea {f)-gobhi sarson-summer moong, maize-tor/a + gobhi sarson-summer moong and maize + cowpea (f)-toria + gobhi sarson-summer moong in main plots and four irrigation schedules of0.75 IW/CPE, 1.0 IW/CPE, 1.25 IW/CPE and recommended schedule in sub plots replicated thrice.Intercropping of cowpea with maize increased the grain yield, crop and water productivity, energy output and net returns of Man/maize.The maximum grain yield of maize was recorded under recommended schedule which was statistically at par with 1.25 IW/CPE irrigation regime.Irrigation regime of 1.0 IW/CPE recorded the highest apparent water productivity with 3.00 and 3.07 kg/m3 during 2016 and 2017, respectively.Irrigation regimes of I.25 and lR were the most energy efficient and energy productive.