Abstract:
An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy field of Sher-c-Bangla
Agricultural University. Dhaka during November 2007 to April 2008 to study the
maize-lentil intereropping system under different row arrangements and nitrogen
levels. The experiment was conducted in a Randomized complete Block Design
(RCBD) with
3
replications. The treatment variables were T
1 = Sole maize normal
row (MNR) with 120 kg N/ha, 1
2 ::
Maize paired row (MPR) with 120kg N/ha 1
3
= MNR + 2 lentil rows with 120kg N/ha, T., = MNR
1
2 lentil rows with 60kg N/
ha, 15
= MPR + 5 lentil rows with 120 kg N/ha, T
6
= MPR + 5
lentil rows with 60
kg N/ha. T
7
sole lentil with 20 kg N/ha. In all the treatments, the recommended
plant population of maize
(55,555
plants/ha) was maintained. The grain yield of
maize has been reduced by 9.45-28.60% when it was intercropped with lentil. Two
maize paired rows accommodated with five lentil rows gave highest maize
equivalent yield (6591 kg/ha), combined yield
(5695
kg/ha), net return (149630
1k/ha), monetary advantages (2650 Tk!ha), IER (1.87) and 8CR (4.40) which
ultimately compensated the yield loss of maize as main crop. This finding was
helpful in other way to cultivate lentil in the main field to increase its area for
improvement of per capita intake of pulse for Bangladeshi people as well as
cropping intensity.
